Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has an advanced system of skills provision, across Further and Higher Education, lifelong learning and human capital development, which is agile and responsive to changes in the world of work, in order to address evolving skills needs.

The National Skills Council (NSC) and nine Regional Skills Fora (RSF), created under the National Skills Strategy, foster engagement and collaboration between relevant Government Departments and agencies, the education and training system, and enterprise. The broader skills ecosystem also encompasses entities including the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU, hosted in SOLAS), the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment) and the National Training Fund Advisory Group (NTFAG, DFHERIS). While DFHERIS has responsibility for skills policy, this broader skills ecosystem informs and drives responsive, flexible forecasting, planning, and provision. 

In terms of supporting learners to develop skills and achieve relevant qualifications to support the industries set out below, there are a wide range of programmes available across the further education and training and the higher education sectors to support the agri-machinery field.  Examples include work based learning through traineeship (HGV Professional Driver Traineeship, Welding Fabrication Traineeship) or apprenticeship (see below) and the general further and higher education programmes from welding and motor technology to electronic engineering.  

Eight of the ten occupations listed are craft apprentice occupations. Apprenticeship is a demand driven, employer-led offering based on a contract of employment between the apprentice and their respective employer. Therefore the number of apprentices in any specific sector is determined directly by employer provision.  Recognising the importance of these occupations to the economy and the opportunity offered by apprenticeship to support economic recovery, the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme (AIS) was launched in March 2020 to support employers to continue to recruit apprentices during the COVID-19 period.  The establishment, funding and success of the scheme is a strong demonstration of  the Government's commitment to the development and growth of apprenticeship in Ireland, which will be sustained and intensified through the implementation of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship.  In addition to the existing apprenticeships, a Commercial Driver Apprenticeship is in development and due to be launched shortly. 

The closure of face to face training in education and training institutions resulted in a backlog of off-the-job training delivery for craft apprentices in phases 2,4 and 6 of their seven phase apprenticeship. SOLAS and the HEA have been working with education and training providers to agree a significant response which commenced in September and will clear the waiting lists by April 2022 for phase 4 and 6 and by year end 2022 for phase 2 apprentices.  An update issued on www.apprenticeship.ie on 23rd September.  Published minimum entry requirements for apprenticeship include an age restriction and academic entry requirements – apprentices must be aged 16 years or over and must hold a junior cycle certificate or equivalent or have relevant experience.  The actual entry requirements to access to employment may be higher than the minimum entry requirements and are set by employers in accordance with the level of education or experience required to deliver the role effectively in the workplace.  Apprenticeship qualifications range from QQI level 5-10, with a number of programmes requiring post-school level qualifications and experience as entry requirements.

General expansion of apprenticeship as a route to career development is a key priority for Government.  As such, an Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 was published in April of this year which sets out a strategic approach to broadening the visibility of apprenticeship as an opportunity for school leavers and career changers.