Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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267. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current timeframe for apprenticeships to move onto phase two; the steps that are being taken to address the backlog and waiting list for phase two of apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45259/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Apprenticeships are employer led demand driven educational and training programmes that aim to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. As apprentices are employees, the demand for and number of apprentices is primarily dictated by the employers in any area or sector.

The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 sets out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to make apprenticeship more accessible to employers and learners, to achieve a target of 10,000 annual registrations across a wide range of programmes by 2025.

Meeting these targets requires a responsive apprenticeship system that provides a strong value proposition for employers and potential apprentices, is attractive and easy to engage with, and which delivers high standards and sought after qualifications.

We have made important progress to date. Last year saw a record 8,607 registrations. This is an increase of nearly 40% compared to 2019, the last “normal” year. This is a strong foundation on which to build as we advance delivery of the Action Plan, in order to embed apprenticeship as a preferred route to skills development.

Regarding the development of apprenticeship and upskilling educational and or retraining facilities:

- Capital funding of €20m was provided in 2020 to extend and upgrade facilities.

- Further funding of €17m has been provided to SOLAS and the HEA to address Covid-related backlogs, €6 million of which is being invested in additional instructors, with over 100 additional posts approved

- To ensure that there is capacity to meet the training needs of rapidly increasing numbers of apprentices, expansion of the apprenticeship system is continuing in 2022, with further major investment in workshops and staff is planned for this year.

Specifically, the funding includes:

- The development of two large training hubs dedicated to electrical training for the next three years;

- Expansion of electrical, plumbing, and carpentry programmes across further and higher education;

- The construction of electrical workshops at Kilkenny and Carlow ETB and the development of a training facility in Donegal;

- A call for additional phase 2 capacity in craft programmes that include carpentry, plumbing and refrigeration Expansion of electrical apprenticeships in ATU Donegal and MTU Kerry.

I am confident that these measures will contribute to the further development of the apprenticeship system, so that it continues to make a valued contribution to our skills response.

At the end of August there were 7,130 apprentices waiting for off the job training. This is down from nearly 12,000 apprentices who were waiting last August which shows that significant progress has been made.

Officials in my Department are in continuous engagement with SOLAS, the HEA and other partners on the matter of the backlog and it is expected that the majority of craft apprentices waiting for off-the-job training over the coming months.