Vol. 420 No. 7
15 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Labour if he considers that it was wise to suspend the present apprentice scheme until an alternative scheme was ready to become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
18 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Labour the progress made to date by the National Apprenticeship Advisory Committee; if it is planned to go ahead with the new apprenticeship system from September next; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 18 together.
The present apprenticeship system has not been suspended. Following a decision of the Board of FÁS on 2 April 1992, the existing system is to continue in 1992. The new system agreed by the social partners as part of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress is currently being developed by FÁS and the social partners. The new system will be introduced in 1993 and be fully operational in that year.
The National Apprenticeship Advisory Committee, which is representative of employers, unions, FÁS and educational interests, was established by FÁS to advise on the implementation of the new apprenticeship system. The committee first met in October 1991 and has been meeting since on a regular monthly basis.
On the advice of the committee, FÁS have to date commissioned surveys of employers to establish the current range of tasks involved in various trades. This will assist in the development of curricula. They have decided to engage experts nominated by the social partners, FÁS and the Department of Education to write the curriculum for 25 trades. They have approved new draft apprentice rules for the new system covering such matters as the introduction of standards-based approach. As required by statute, these draft rules are currently the subject of consultation with the Minister for Education and the industrial training committees.
They decided to introduce two pilot schemes, one for bricklaying and one for motor mechanics. These are to commence shortly on the basis of draft curricula which have been considered and recommended by the committee.
Could the Minister give an absolute assurance that the new scheme will be ready to commence operation in 1993? While the present scheme was not suspended, because of the doubts inherent in the change in the scheme, many students found it difficult to be accepted into apprenticeships because employers felt that a change was coming about and were waiting until the new scheme was implemented. While the scheme may not have been suspended, the Minister will have to agree that several——
A question please.
——people could not get apprenticeships because of the impending change.
It was envisaged that it would start in 1992. There were reasons for the delay, including funding — a perennial problem in this system, which has to be addressed upwards rather than downwards, in terms of employers contributions, if it is to be successful. I understand from the board of FÁS that they will be in a position to start the new apprenticeship scheme in 1993.
Does the Minister agree that one of the things which marks our economy out from other more successful economies is that other employers view this question of apprenticeship as an investment in the future and in productivity whereas we do not? Is the Minister in a position to give the House any idea of the levy that will be imposed on employers? At the beginning of those discussions it was referred to as .5 per cent.
I think it is 0.25 per cent. I agree with the Deputy's comparison with other countries. Our problem is that we have a far higher percentage of small to medium sized enterprises and therefore the availability of resources for training is much more limited. We require a change in attitude rather than funding in this area. If we regarded this as an investment rather than a cost, there would be more apprentices.
Would the Minister not agree that the scheme did not take off this year because there was a flat refusal by the employers, not alone on financial grounds but on the grounds that the nature of the training that was being offered did not embrace the full trades, and that as a result there was a marked reluctance on their part to get involved.
I agree that employers have voiced their concerns. I see great merit in the standards that have been achieved under the old time serve system. Employers are of the opinion that there is a need to serve one's time, apart from the educational qualifications a person might be involved in obtaining. Consultation at every level between employers and the National Training Authority is vital for the success of the apprenticeships scheme. It must have the support of employers if it is to be successful. They must have confidence in the curricula drafted. For that reason there should be consultation at every level. I have good grounds to hope and believe that the subcommittee under the chairmanship of Mr. Kevin Duffy of ICTU have come forward with the sort of curricula which will inspire confidence in the business community to take on more apprentices.
