Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

628. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the case of apprentices (details supplied); whether he will take steps to ensure off-the-job training will be arranged in SETU Carlow as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53857/23]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

629. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprenticeship programmes operating in the State; the number that have experienced delays in arranging off-the-job training in education centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53858/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are currently 73 apprenticeship programmes in Ireland: 25 craft 48 consortia-led.I am aware that many craft apprentices are experiencing delays accessing their first period of off-the-job training (Phase 2). These waiting times reflect the strong growth in registrations for craft apprenticeship in a demand-led system, where employers in a buoyant construction sector in particular are continuing to recruit strongly to meet their skills needs.

Work is underway to right-size system capacity to better match this demand. In addition, an accelerated on-the-job process to reduce time gaps between training phases and to assist with progression is being implemented. It is a priority to further grow capacity to ensure apprentices are trained within their minimum time period.

This is reflected in the prioritisation of apprenticeship in the recent Estimates 2024 process within my Department, which secured an additional €67 million in funding for the system, and on the dedicated response being implemented to address the craft training backlogs. To oversee this response, my officials chair an Apprenticeship Capacity Oversight Group. Membership also includes the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO), SOLAS and ETB and staff representatives.

SOLAS and the NAO are leading on the measures which will be/are being delivered to reduce the backlogs. The overall aim is to increase capacity within the system to efficiently respond to the demand for skills across the economy, and most especially those skills which address the priority housing and climate action areas.

The following deliverables for 2024 will reduce the backlogs:

• increase the capacity of the ETBs to provide a significant increase in places across training centres
• a temporary delivery of extra phase 2 places through higher education institutions
• a temporary delivery of extra phase 2 places through two colleges in Northern Ireland.
• partnership with employers who have in-house training facilities which will be utilised on a temporary basis