Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 111, 138 and 150 together.

Of the 60 apprenticeship programmes, 25 are craft apprenticeships with a standardised seven phase programme of on-the-job and off-the-job training. Off-the-job training is delivered in phases 2, 4 and 6 of a craft apprenticeship.

COVID-19 related suspension of face to face training in Training Centres (Phase 2), Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities (Phases 4 and 6) has had a significant impact on the ability of craft apprentices to access off-the-job training in a timely manner. This exacerbated the pressure on craft apprentice off-the-job training facilities as a result of the 90% increase in apprentice population over the past 6 years, a situation which has impacted on waiting lists for electrical, plumbing, carpentry and joinery and motor mechanics in particular. End April figures indicate that over 3,500 craft apprentices had been waiting over 12 months for access to Phase 2, 4 and 6 off-the-job training.

To ensure that apprentices are facilitated in progressing in their programmes insofar as possible, the theory aspects of off-the-job training for craft apprenticeship has been delivered remotely since early January. Given the nature of craft apprenticeship, practical training and assessment forms a substantial and essential component of the programmes. Completion of practical training and assessment is required to allow apprentices to progress to their next phase of training and to complete their apprenticeship in a timely manner.

A phased return to face to face training commenced during April for those apprentices who had been undertaking remote teaching and learning or who were close to completion of phase 2, 4 or 6 when training was suspended in January 2021. All institutions with learners (including apprentices) onsite are operating on the basis of current public health guidance with face to face training operating at approximately 50% normal capacity.

€20M in capital expenditure has been allocated to SOLAS and the HEA to facilitate an additional 4,000 craft apprenticeship places across the system in the coming period in addition to €12M already allocated to support additional classes and teaching capacity to ameliorate COVID-19 measures. Spaces arising from these measures will begin to come on-stream in the second half of this year.

SOLAS and the HEA are also working with the education and training providers to identify additional solutions which will address the waiting lists for off-the-job elements of craft apprenticeship to ensure that apprentices are enabled to complete their training as quickly as possible.