Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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825. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprenticeships taken up in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to 31 October 2022, in tabular form. [55330/22]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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827. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprenticeships currently registered for electricians, plumbers and carpenters; the number for the year 2021, in tabular form, for comparative purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55470/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 825 and 827 together.

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. Expanding apprenticeship across all sectors of the economy has widened its impact in areas of skills shortage such as Engineering, Technology Skills, Logistics and FinTech. Under the Plan there will be an increase in online visibility of apprenticeship engagement and apprenticeship development processes for employers/sectors who wish to assess the potential for new apprenticeship development.

The development of new apprenticeships is employer-led, with consortia comprising employer groups and educational providers coming together to identify a skills need and appropriate apprenticeship responses in their sector. It is open to any industry that wishes to explore such options to bring forward a proposal. Applications for new apprenticeship development are open on an ongoing basis, allowing all employers to progress the development of programmes in response to emerging skills needs on an as-needed basis.

There are currently 66 apprenticeship programmes on offer: 25 craft programmes and 41 programmes introduced since 2016. Eight new programmes were launched over 2020 and 2021, despite the pandemic; Arboriculture, Equipment Systems Engineer, Healthcare Assistant, Principal Engineer – Professional Doctorate, Recruitment Executive, Sales, Scaffolding , Supply Chain Associate. 4 more programmes have been launched so far in 2022; Bar Manager, Wind Turbine Maintenance, Transport Operations & Commercial Driving and Cybersecurity Practitioner.

There is one programme available for each of Electrical, Carpentry & Joinery and Plumbing.

To meet our targets we require an apprenticeship system that is flexible and responsive, providing 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, therefore embedding apprenticeship as a preferred route to skills development.

A full breakdown of programmes launched from 2019-2022, 24 in total, in tabular form is attached.