Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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243. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the apprenticeships that are currently available; the number of vacancies available for each of these apprenticeships; the number of new applications for each of these apprenticeships; the number of applicants accepted for each of these apprenticeships; the number of school hours for each apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8884/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Action Plan for Apprenticeship (2021 – 2025) released by my department last year sets out a 5 year strategy towards delivering an apprenticeship system which provides enhanced responsiveness to skills delivery and an improved experience for employers and learners.

The development and promotion of apprenticeship is a significant Government priority in responding to key skill needs across the economy. In considering the important role played by apprenticeship in responding to these needs, it should be noted that apprenticeship is an employer-led offering. The number of apprentices in any specific sector is, therefore, determined directly by employer demand.

There are currently 62 apprenticeship programs available ranging from levels 5-10 on the National Framework of qualifications. These range in duration from 2 -4 years. 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.

For Craft Apprenticeships, the off the job training for phase 2 in ETB Training centres typically consists of 22 weeks training. Off the job training in phases 4 and 6 for craft apprenticeships which takes place in Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities is usually 10 – 12 weeks in duration

For consortia led apprenticeships such as accounting technicians, an apprentice will be attending (off-the job training) at college one day a week and working with an employer four days during college term time. Outside of college terms, apprentices work with their employer 5 days a week.

Other consortia type apprenticeships such as the Telecommunications & Data Network Technician apprenticeship, off the job training typically involves blocks of several weeks in duration where apprentices train in colleges full time with the rest of the apprenticeship being spent with their employer .

Registrations on apprenticeship programmes in 2021 were the highest they have been since 2007. In 2021, 8,607 apprentices were employed, on 62 programmes. 6,955 of these registrations were in the traditional craft apprenticeship programmes, with over 60% of these registrations on the three Electrical, Plumbing and Carpentry and Joinery crafts. The current population of apprentices is c24, 212, the highest it has been since 2009.

A full list of apprentice registrations in 2021 for all apprenticeships is attached.

Further information on all apprenticeships is available on the apprenticeship.ie website.

/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2022-02-17_pq243_en.xlsx">Apprenticeships