asked the Minister for Education the action he proposes to take to deal with the shortage of technicians and tradesmen that will arise in the years immediately ahead.
Written Answers. - Technicians and Tradesmen Shortage.
35.
In respect of technicians the Deputy will be aware that the national capacity to provide for the education and training of technicians has been expanded considerably since 1969 through the establishment of eight regional technical colleges. In addition to providing appropriate programmes of education and training for technicians on a part-time basis these colleges have approximately 3,200 students enrolled on whole-time technician level programmes covering the areas of business studies, applied sciences, engineering and catering.
In addition, technician level courses over similar disciplinary ranges are provided in the colleges operating under the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee for approximately 1,300 whole-time students and a very considerable attendance of part-time students. Technician level courses are also provided by the City of Limerick VEC, the Town of Tralee VEC and by the National Institute of Higher Education, Limerick.
The Deputy will be aware also of the special responsibility in relation to the planning and co-ordination of courses at certificate and diploma level placed by me on the newly constituted National Council for Educational Awards. These certificate and diploma awards are essentially technician and higher technician level qualifications. In the exercise of this responsibility and in consultation with the Higher Education Authority, the National Council for Educational awards will keep the supply position of technicians on a national basis under constant review and will advise me on the necessary steps to be taken to prevent the occurrence of shortages of technicians in general and in particular skill areas.
In respect of tradesmen, my Department provide support to their training through vocational education committees and regional and other technical colleges. There are part-time courses on a day-release and block-release basis by arrangement with the Industrial Training Authority, AnCO and with major employers of apprentices such as semi-State bodies as the Deputy is aware the recent decisions of the council of AnCO on the modification of apprentice training incorporate provision for the training of extra tradesmen to meet the requirements of new industry. My Department intend through the VECs to continue the supply of day and block release courses for all apprentices and will support the implementation of the new apprenticeship proposals by undertaking a considerable portion of the off the job-training in the first year of apprenticeship. To this end my Department have surveyed existing workshop and laboratory accommodation in appropriate schools and colleges to determine the extent of its suitability for this modified form of training and to assess the necessary modifications and re-equipping which will be required over the period of implementation of the modified training scheme. It is very largely in this connection also that an extension programme has been undertaken in regional technical college centres the first phase of which has already commenced construction in the Galway, Dundalk, Waterford and Sligo centres.