Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the measures his Department is taking to deliver green skills, as outlined in the climate action plans annexe of actions 2023; to report on the progress to date to accelerate the delivery of green skills apprenticeships and to increase the number of courses and places across the six centres of excellence; what annual targets, if any, have been set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45221/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Climate Action Plan 2023 provides for an actionable response to support and accelerate the design, development and implementation of apprenticeships meeting green skills needs for the future. Development of transferable green skills for life, through to specific skills requirements for emerging green sectors of the economy including Near Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB)/ retrofit, offshore wind, and electric vehicles are central to the work of this Department and in meeting commitments given in CAP23.

Important steps towards delivering on these skills include the increased numbers enrolling on NZEB/ retrofit courses offered through an expanding network of Centres of Excellence operated by Ireland’s Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and the establishment of a dedicated Skills and Workforce Workstream as part of the Offshore Wind Energy Programme, with the aim of building a sustainable pipeline of skills for the development of offshore wind.

In line with Action BE/23/17 of the Climate Action Plan Annexe of Actions 2023, NZEB Fundamentals have been included as a specific module in Phase 2 of the Plumbing and Electrical Apprenticeships which were revalidated by QQI on the 8th June 2023. NZEB is embedded in Technical Guidance Document L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy – Dwellings) and thus is embedded in the Carpentry & Joinery curriculum. NZEB awareness will be addressed in the following craft apprenticeship programmes when they are due to go through a re-validation process: Brick & Stone; Plastering; Refrigeration & Air Conditioning; Pipefitting; Sheet Metal (possible).

MMC provision has also been incorporated into the relevant recently revalidated Craft Apprenticeship Programmes where appropriate. The revised Electrical curriculum will incorporate modules on Alternative Electrical Energy Sources covering Solar PV Generation, Wind Generation, Energy Storage Technologies and EV Charging. The Plumbing Curriculum will incorporate a module on Renewable and Sustainable Energy covering Water Conservation Systems, Solar Heating Technology, Heat Pump Technology and Biomass Technology and Installation.

In relation to Consortia Led Apprenticeships, the Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician apprenticeship is up and running with 14 Apprentices registered to the programme in 2022 and a forecast of 18 Apprentices to register in 2023. The National Apprenticeship Office have also recently received three apprenticeship programme proposals in the occupations of Sustainability Practitioner, Potable, Wastewater & Drainage Maintenance Technician and Potable, Wastewater & Drainage Senior Technician. Engagement is underway with these groups in relation to these proposals.

There are currently 5 NZEB Centres of Excellence operational, Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB, Cork ETB, Laois Offaly ETB, Waterford Wexford ETB and Limerick Clare ETB. A 6th Centre, City of Dublin ETB is under development however CDETB are already delivering NZEB Fundamental Awareness training. These centres are delivering training in areas such as NZEB Ventilation Systems, NZEB Retrofit, NZEB Plumbing, NZEB Carpentry amongst others ensuring that the construction industry has the correct skills to deliver on our climate targets. In line with Action BE/23/18 of the Climate Action Plan Annex of Actions 2023, these centres are committed to expanding training programmes based on climate necessity and work together to ensure curricula are kept up-to-date and new programmes are developed where needed. Under the National Recover & Resilience Plan 2021, these Centres committed to 4,550 places for learners. This target was met in July 2023.