Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As Minister I have ensured an unrelenting focus on growing participation in apprenticeships. Underpinned by the measures in the Action Plan for Apprenticeship, the impact is very clear and positive, with significant growth of apprenticeship over the past number of years. Since 2021, over 27,000 people have registered as apprentices. Craft apprenticeship registrations for 2021- 2023 were 19,842, an increase of almost 49% over the preceding two years.

This increased demand for apprenticeship compounded by the impact of closures of apprenticeship training facilities during the pandemic challenged the capacity of the training system resulting in significant delays in off-the-job training in craft apprenticeships peaking at 11,859 in August 2021. While substantial reductions in this figure were achieved subsequently significant delays persisted into last year.

Consequently, intensive work was undertaken by SOLAS and the ETBs to secure a reductions in training delays.

I am pleased to confirm there has been a significant fall in the number of people waiting to 4,018 at the end of December 2023; 3,919 at Phase 2, and the remainder at Phases 4 and 6. This is the lowest figure since August 2021 and a 29% reduction since the end of June 2023.

The actions taken to achieve this include a targeted recruitment campaign for instructors and administrative support staff, a third intake of apprentices across all 16 ETBs, and temporary emergency provision by other partners such as higher education institutions and employers.

It is important to state while there have been some delays, the majority of apprenticeships are completed within the four year period. The only programme taking significantly longer is pipefitting.

It is a priority for me that progress is sustained in 2024 on the basis of the substantial funding of €67 million for apprenticeship secured in Budget 2024.

This will enable growth in the craft system from 13,000 places in 2022 to over 16,000 places in 2024 - an increase approaching 25%.

I look forward to continued progress in achieving further reductions in training delays on the basis of the work led by the National Apprenticeship Office, working with Education and Training Boards and staff representatives.