Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that his Department is taking in order to ensure that there is an available and sufficient workforce with the requisite skills and expertise for the new green economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51631/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A number of renewable energy programmes are funded under the Human Capital Initiative and Springboard+. They include a Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Energy Systems at DCU, a Postgraduate Diploma in Wind Energy at Dundalk Institute of Technology, a Certificate in Energy Sustainability at South East Technological University; and an MEng in Energy Infrastructure at Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest.

Skillnet Ireland provides subsidised training to business through learning networks operating nationwide and across all sectors. It is a direct response to skills needs as identified by employers. The Green Tech Skillnet is an enterprise-led network facilitating the workforce and development needs of the Irish renewable energy industry. It is promoted by Wind Energy Ireland (WEI), the representative body for the Irish wind industry, working to promote wind energy as an essential, economical and environmentally friendly part of the country’s low-carbon energy future.

Sustainable green skills are embedded in the Further Education and Training Strategy, which provides that climate change and sustainable development are key components of Further Education and Training (FET) processes. FET will continue to contribute to the Government’s call of action to prioritise energy, building and the environment in its processes.

It is envisaged that the SOLAS Green Skills Action Plan will contribute to clean technologies and the acceleration of the use of renewables. It will contribute to a greater awareness of energy efficiency and the benefits of retrofitting both public and private buildings.

In May 2021, an agreement was reached on a pilot project to be launched between the Campus des métiers et des qualifications d’excellence international normand des énergies (CEINE) in Normandy, Dublin & Dun Laoghaire ETB, Kerry ETB, Laois Offaly ETB, Limerick & Clare ETB and Cavan & Monaghan ETB. These organisations will seek to build on their shared expertise in the field of Green Technologies Skills.

The Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician (WTMT) Apprenticeship was launched in March 2022. Kerry ETB is the coordinating provider for this Level 6 three year apprenticeship. It is estimated that there will be in the region of 18 registrations by year end. This Apprenticeship is for people who wish to pursue a career in the maintenance of large scale commercial wind turbines. It is designed to meet the needs of the growing Irish renewable and sustainable energy sector. This apprenticeship will create a pathway into this career for school leavers or those who do not currently possess any relevant qualifications.

A dynamic and evolving economy will always have skills demands and challenges. Our imperative is to ensure agility and responsiveness in the skills ecosystem. To help this approach, we commissioned a comprehensive skills review with the OECD. We are more than halfway through this and clear areas of focus are emerging. These include having more dynamic, granular, real-time data to inform how we respond rapidly to industry's needs. We want to do more on short, flexible and blended skilling options for individuals entering or transitioning in the workforce, and we are progressing ease of navigability through options for skilling.

Embedding this approach will significantly enhance and future-proof provision in the broader green skills area.