Written answers

Thursday, 20 May 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Apprenticeship Programmes

Photo of Jennifer Murnane O'ConnorJennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the 18 new apprenticeship programmes will come on stream in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26965/21]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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114. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number and range of new apprenticeships; the number of further apprenticeships which are now in the pipeline; and if he has identified any barriers in the development of these new opportunities. [25558/21]

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together.

36 apprenticeships have been launched following the 2013 Review of Apprenticeship Training in Ireland which set out the benefits of a system which combined workplace learning with classroom based learning in an education and training institution. These programmes complemented the craft apprenticeships which were in existence at that time.

There are currently 61 available apprenticeships and a list of these has been attached.

A further 17 programmes are in development in sectors such as agriculture, ICT, hospitality, construction, engineering, horticulture and commercial driving. In addition, a number of potential apprenticeships are at an exploratory stage.

Development of any apprenticeship programme is employer-led. Progress on the development of apprenticeships is contingent on a number of factors, including continued commitment from employer groups, successful completion of academic programme validation through QQI or an appropriate delegated awarding body and continuation of an identified skills need. In addition to technical factors, the roll out of the national vaccination programme and the ongoing public health restrictions may impact on the recruitment to and the launch of apprenticeship programmes once the apprenticeship is in place.

Submissions made to the consultation process to the development of the new Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 provided insight into employer feedback on the apprenticeship development process.A number of actions have been included within the Action Plan for Apprenticeship in order to support increased employer engagement with, and address barriers to, programme development:-

- The establishment of a single National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) will provide a single point of contact for employers or industries who wish to develop an apprenticeship programme.

- Peer-learning supports for apprenticeship consortia will support consortia during the apprenticeship development process.

- Clear and transparent information on supports for employers and new programme development will be published and easily accessible on the apprenticeship.ie website.

- The effectiveness of the current Generation Apprenticeship initiative in widening employer engagement will be reviewed.

- Legislative barriers to the development of apprenticeship programmes in areas of primary food production and professional will be removed.

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