Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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43. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason some of the craft apprenticeship curriculum course syllabuses are almost 15 years old; and the steps he will take to modernise them. [9108/24]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Craft apprenticeships have a largely standardised delivery model. SOLAS serve as a central coordinating provider, setting curricula across programmes.

Craft apprenticeship programmes are continually monitored with the aim to keeping them up-to-date and in line with industry standards. Programme content is updated from time to time to allow for technical or legislative changes.

QQI will be involved in the revalidation of all craft programmes in the planned move towards a single integrated apprenticeship system which is one of the five overarching objectives under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025.

The table below summarises the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes, the date the curricula was first published, and the latest QQI revalidation date. Of the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes, 5 were revalidated in 2023, 13 were revalidated in 2017, and a further 3 revalidated in 2014. The remaining 4 programmes were last revalidated in 2006:

• The Painting and Decorating review is ongoing as part of the wet trade review, and is anticipated for completion in Q4 2024.
• The Plastering review is ongoing as part of the wet trade review and is anticipated for completion in Q4 2024.
• The review of the Motor Mechanics / Automotive Technology programme is anticipated for submission to QQI for validation in 2024.
• The review of the Construction Plant Fitting programme is anticipated for submission to QQI for validation in Q4 2024.

  Apprenticeship	Revision	First Published (Revision)	QQI Revalidation Date	Notes
  Heavy Vehicle Mechanics	5	2016	2023	Review & validation completed, rollout proposed 2024
  Carpentry & Joinery	5	2016	2023	Review & validation completed, rollout proposed 2024
  Plumbing	5	2016	2023	Review & validation completed, rollout proposed 2024
  Metal Fabrication	5	2016	2023	Review & validation completed, rollout proposed 2024
  Electrical	5	2016	2023	Review & validation completed, rollout proposed 2024
  Vehicle Body Repair	4	2019	2017	Revalidation work in progress
  Industrial Insulation	2	2009	2017	Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024
  Agricultural Mechanics	2	2006	2017	Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024
  Electronic Security Systems	2	2010	2017	Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024
  Farriery	2	2011	2017	Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024
  Pipefitting	2	2014	-	Propose submission to QQI 2024
  Sheet Metal Work	2	2006	2017	Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024
  Electrical Instrumentation	2	2007	2017	Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024
  Instrumentation	2	2007	2017	Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024
  MAMF	2	2007	2017	Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024
  Toolmaking	2	2007	2017	Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024
  Wood Manufacturing	2	2010	2017	Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024
  Brick and Stone	2	2013	2017	Wet Trade Review Pending
  Painting & Decorating	2	2006	-	Wet Trade Review Pending
  Plastering	2	2006	-	Wet Trade Review Pending
  Aircraft Mechanics	3	2007	2017	QQI Re-submission 2024-25
  Motor Mechanics/Automotive Technician	2	2006	-	QQI proposed submission date 2024
  Construction Plant Fitting	2	2006	-	QQI proposed submission date 2024/2025
  Stonecutting/Stonemasonry	2	2014	-	QQI for validation in Q4 2024.
  Refrigeration & Air Conditioning	2	2014	-	QQI for validation in Q4 2024.