Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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152. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 10 November 2021, if the single apprenticeship system that both consortia-led and craft apprenticeships will be migrated to by 2025 will most closely resemble the craft or consortia-led model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56264/21]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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154. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason all apprenticeships are being migrated to a consortia-led model when the success of consortia-led model has not yet been demonstrated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56322/21]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 154 together.

The pathway to delivering the intended growth of the apprenticeship system as set out in the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 has been informed by a significant and extensive consultation process. Details of the consultation, and findings arising from the process are set out on www.gov.ie/en/consultation/13be2-consultation-on-the-apprenticeship-action-plan-2021-2025/.

In moving to a single model the objective is to build on the strengths of both the existing craft and the consortia led models. The single model must be capable of delivering apprenticeships which can flex to accommodate the rapid rate of change driven by technological adaption, digital and environmental transformation which is inherent in today’s economy while retaining the high standards required from Ireland’s apprenticeship system.

The existing craft apprenticeship structure relies on a heavily standardised approach to the 25 existing programmes, with academic oversight and curriculum development undertaken by a central body (SOLAS). All craft apprenticeships are four years in duration, with the majority of programmes following a standard seven phase approach of on-the-job and off-the-job training. Advice from the partners on the structure and content of the apprenticeships is through a subcommittee of the SOLAS Board, with Phase 2 delivery undertaken across the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and phase 4 and 6 undertaken in the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through the HEA. There is significant partnership and buy-in from the education and industry partners and a well established reputation internationally.

The existing system has seen two major shocks in the past 15 years, firstly the 2007 housing and economic crash and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic. While those involved in apprenticeship delivery have moved to meet the challenges presented on both occasions, the need for rapid movement has also highlighted limitations of the more centralised craft apprenticeship system compared to individual consortia who had more flexibility to adapt delivery and assessment processes to the changed environment.

The existing consortia-led or post-2016 apprenticeships operate under a structure whereby the academic content of the apprenticeship is agreed by a consortium of education and training providers, employers and relevant partners with the off-the-job training delivery managed by coordinating providers who are themselves part of the consortium. This approach has allowed for rapid re-alignment of off-the job training delivery to allow for apprenticeships to continue insofar as possible during the COVID-19 period, proving resilience and flexibility under testing conditions. Apprentice Occupational Profiles, including QQI level and duration are approved at national level through the Apprenticeship Council.

Over the period of the action plan, the dual system of programme governance will be replaced by a single distributed system of programme governance – the single apprenticeship system. Responsibility for curriculum and apprenticeship content will be placed close to where activity is taking place which will leverage the core strengths of education and training providers, employers and partners who are immersed in the respective industry. It will also foster the integration of apprenticeship within the quality assurance arrangements of the educational institutions across further and higher education. The new National Apprenticeship Office will bring together the oversight and funding roles of SOLAS and the HEA as they relate to apprenticeship into a single office, providing national level oversight of all apprenticeships. The office will provide support for the new apprenticeship consortia and will be informed by the National Apprenticeship Alliance which will comprise stakeholder representatives, including a subcommittee focussed on advising measures for broadening diversity in the apprentice population. Therefore, while there is a move towards a distributed model of apprenticeship, there is a significantly changed and enhanced role for national level governance and oversight mechanisms.

The process by which this transition will take place will be planned in close collaboration with apprenticeship stakeholders, including union partners, through representation on the National Apprenticeship Advisory Committee and the National Apprenticeship Alliance.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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153. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider ending the exemption of apprenticeships from the minimum wage legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56321/21]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps his Department is taking to begin monitoring the wages paid to apprentices in the consortia-led model given that apprentices are exempt from the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 and SOLAS only monitors the wages paid to craft apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56323/21]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 155 together.

Apprentices are employed under a Contract of Apprenticeship. In the case of the 37 apprenticeships established since 2016, the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer. The minimum rate of pay for the 25 craft apprenticeships are agreed by the partners within the relevant sector, or are set out in Sectoral Employment Orders (Construction Sector and Mechanical Engineering Building Services Contracting Sector). Minimum agreed rates vary between occupations and sectors but in all cases craft apprenticeship rates are expressed as a proportion of the qualified rate, from 33% of the qualified rate in year one to 90% in year four. All apprentices are excluded from the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000.

Neither the Department or SOLAS monitor or collect data in relation to apprentice wages other than in relation to the payment of training allowances. Training allowances paid to craft apprentices by Education and Training Boards (through the Education Shared Business Services) on periods of off the job training are based in the agreed industry rate.

The core regulatory standards for apprenticeship provided for in the 1967 Act have been enhanced through statutory rules and administrative guidance. A significant number of measures are in place to support and protect the apprentice. The Apprenticeship Code of Practice, which specifies the rights and responsibilities of apprentices and employers and is signed by both parties, forms the basis of each apprenticeship contract. In tandem with adherence to core regulatory standards, apprenticeships are underpinned by a strong framework of quality assurance to ensure programmes provide a high quality learning experience for apprentices.

Under the new Action Plan apprentices will be supported to complete their programmes through clearer communication, support networks and increased ownership of their learning journey. The voice of apprentices in shaping the future of the system will be formalised within the single system of apprenticeship, enhancing the existing apprentice feedback mechanism which is inherent in the QQI quality processes. Apprentices will be included both looking to the future through representation on the apprenticeship stakeholder oversight and advisory structures and also through an annual survey of apprentices which will provide a robust system view for the prior year. This will provide multiple fora through which apprentices may voice concerns over any issues pertaining to the conditions of their employment, which may then be addressed directly. Monitoring medium to long term outcomes for apprentices will also be formalised through the commencement of graduate tracking.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide complete lists of all consortia-led apprenticeships including the details of the education providers and accrediting agency, duration and total enrolment figures in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56324/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled by SOLAS. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average waiting time for craft apprentices to access off-the-job training; the number of apprentices waiting to access same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56325/21]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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Craft apprenticeships account for 25 of the 62 existing available apprenticeship programmes. They comprise of a standard seven phase programme of alternating on-the-job and off-the-job phases. The off-the-job training for these programmes is delivered in Training Centres, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities. Given the practical nature of off-the-job training for craft apprentices, the shutdown of on-site learning activity in 2020 and 2021 had a significant impact on the ability of craft apprentices to progress through their course.

At the end of October 10,333 craft apprentices were waiting for access to off-the-job training. 6,426 of these were waiting over 6 months, of which 3,942 of these were waiting longer than one year. The average waiting time is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy once available.

In addition to the general activity surrounding a return to on-site learning across the further and higher education sector a number of specific actions were put in place to support craft apprentices to progress in their training in a timely manner.

2022 will see an increase of over 3,100 off-the-job training places being made available across craft apprenticeship phases 2, 4 and 6 over 2021 scheduled numbers (pre-COVID expected provision). This additional capacity has already begun to come on-stream from September 2021 and will be delivered under a three-step response plan agreed by SOLAS, HEA and education and training providers. The immediate focus is on the three craft apprenticeships with the longest waiting lists, namely Electrical, Plumbing and Carpentry & Joinery.

For Phase 2, which is delivered in ETBs, a focused, time-limited response will increase the number of intakes per year from two to three. Planning is also underway for further expansion of workshops to facilitate additional classes in 2022. Phase 2 off-the-job training capacity is expected to increase to 5,390 places in 2022. Phase 4 and 6 training is delivered in Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities. In the region of 8,800 off-the-job training places will be provided across phases 4 and 6 in 2022, growing to over 9,000 off-the-job training places the following year.

€17m additional funding was provided under Budget 2022 to facilitate the response to the backlogs across SOLAS and the HEA. Subject to continued access to workshops and training facilities in addition to the rollout of additional places, it is expected that the majority of craft apprentices waiting for off-the-job training at Phases 4 and 6 will be called in the early months of 2022. The waiting list for Phase 2 apprentices is expected to be completely cleared by the end of 2022. Public updates on actions taken to address the waiting lists are posted on www.apprenticeship.ie to ensure that information is available to apprentices, employers and prospective apprentices.