Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 was launched on 19th April and sets out a five year plan which sets out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to make apprenticeship accessible to employers and learners. The actions set out in the plan seek to deliver on a target of 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per annum by 2025.

Work has begun on the implementation of the Action Plan and a Steering Group which comprises representatives from SOLAS, the HEA and the Department has been formed to support the establishment of the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO). The terms of reference for the Steering Group are currently being drafted.

Proposed amendments to the Industrial Training Act, 1967 seek to expand the definition of an “activity of industry” to widen the potential scope of new apprenticeship programmes (Action 5.2) has been included under the General Scheme of Higher Education Authority Bill which was published on the 6th May 2021. The Bill also provides for the recognition of a shared office between SOLAS and HEA to facilitate collaboration on the national-level development, monitoring, review and management of the apprenticeship system (Action 12.6)

Engagement on the development of the Public Service Apprentice Recruitment Plan has commenced, with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science recently writing to his counterparts to seek support in relation to the delivery of the plan.

Engagement with www.apprenticeshipJobs.ie is being encouraged through the expansion of the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme. From the 1st July 2021 the scheme has included a requirement to either publish on www.apprenticeshipjobs.ie or to provide a stated reason for non-advertisement of the post. This will provide information on recruitment practices across apprenticeship programmes.

In cooperation with the OGP, the Strategic Procurement Advisory Group has commenced development of guidance on the inclusion of an apprenticeship/ staff development provision within Public Sector tendering processes.

Progress towards baseline actions will be reviewed on an annual basis and a report delivered to Government, outlining progress and learnings and setting out detailed areas for action in the next phase of delivery.