asked the Minister for Labour the arrangements that exist to assist apprentices whose apprenticeships are terminated by their employers going out of business; and if he is satisfied with existing arrangements in this situation.
85.
Written Answers. - Apprentice Redundancies.
81.
asked the Minister for Labour the arrangements that exist to assist apprentices who have been unable to complete their apprenticeships as a result of employers going out of business; and the number of apprentices that have been helped by such measures in each of the last two years.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 85 together.
The arrangements that exist to assist apprentices who have been unable to complete their apprenticeships as a result of employers going out of business are as follows:
An employer of an AnCO registered apprentice is required to notify AnCO in advance of his/her intention to make an apprentice redundant.
On receipt of this notification AnCO endeavours to assist the apprentice concerned to continue and complete his/her apprenticeship by one, or a mix of, the following measures:
(a) seeking, in conjunction with the National Manpower Service another employer to allow the apprentice continue his/her apprenticeship; (b) providing updating of skills courses in AnCO and other recognised training centres; (c) assigning them to block release courses in regional technical colleges; (d) placing them with suitable employers on a temporary basis.
All unemployed and redundant apprentices who are notified to AnCO are issued with a brochure giving details of procedures and guidelines for unemployed apprentices.
In 1982, AnCO assisted 1,455 unemployed/redundant apprentices in this manner, while in 1983, 2,556 apprentices were assisted. In 1984, 3,450 apprentices were assisted. In 1985, to date, 980 apprentices have been assisted with a further 1,408 currently being assisted. It is estimated that, in all, some 3,000 will be assisted in 1985.
The increase in the number of apprentices becoming redundant as a result of the economic situation of the past few years is a matter of concern. Nevertheless, I am satisfied that AnCO is doing all it can within its limited resources to assist these apprentices and to maintain apprenticeship numbers in line with the likely demand for skilled workers when the economy improves.