Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 8

Written Answers. - National Training Scheme.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

A number of preliminary meetings have taken place already with a view to progressing the establishment of a national training scheme as outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government 1993-1997. Those meetings were attended by representatives of the social partners, the Department of Education, FÁS and my own Department of Enterprise and Employment.

The purpose of the initiative is to devise a training system incorporating in a coherent manner the best of what is already available and offering standards based training leading to national certification. The system would in particular provide opportunities for those who leave school but do not proceed to third level education to acquire additional skills which would equip them to compete for existing jobs and to contribute to improvements in the competitiveness and productivity of enterprises employing them.

Details of the likely cost of the Scheme have yet to be determined.

It would be premature to presume that legislation will necessarily arise in connection with the introduction of a new training system. However, legislation will be necessary to give statutory backing to the proposed National Education and Training Certification Board which will have a critical role to play in giving both national and international standing to the training offered.