Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A key strength of the apprenticeship model is that it is a demand-led employer-driven approach to meeting workforce and skill requirements in our economy. As such, the demand for and number of apprentices is primarily dictated by employers in any sector.

New apprenticeship programmes are coming on-stream continuously. These are developed by a consortium of employers and education providers who come together and follow the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) defined proposal process. Through this process, an industry sector identifies a substantial need for skills that the apprenticeship model is suitable to address plus sufficient demand among employers in the sector who will employ apprentices.

My Department is informed by the NAO that, to date, no proposals for an apprenticeship relevant to staff in crèches have been received by them.