Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 10

Written Answers. - Vocational Preparation and Training Courses.

Michael Creed

Question:

83 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education if she will review the vocational training and preparation courses for school leavers in vocational and comprehensive schools in order to ensure that students who leave school have acquired a specific skill; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

At present some 22,000 young people participate on vocational preparation and training, VPT, courses with support from the European Social Fund. The programme operates at two levels, catering for those who would otherwise leave school after junior cycle, and for those who wish to pursue courses at post-leaving certificate level.

The VPT programme provides training in over 60 different vocational areas, ranging from horticulture to upholstery, from woodcraft and furniture to video production and animation, as well as the more traditional areas of engineering, construction, electronics, computer studies, catering and tourism studies, secretarial services and commerce. The programme offers an integrated approach focusing on the development of specific skills in the chosen discipline, personal development including literacy, numeracy, communicative and computer skills, and a work experience programme.

The National Council for Vocational Awards, with the active involvement of the social partners, is responsible for assessment and certification matters relating to such courses at post-leaving certificate level, including the structure of courses on a modular basis and the design and review of programmes to ensure ongoing relevance to industry needs. The work of the council will be further strengthened and enhanced by the establishment on a statutory basis of a National Education and Training Certification Board to provide assessment and certification for vocational training programmes delivered by both the education and training sectors.

The programme at post-junior cycle level will shortly be assimilated into a new applied leaving certificate programme which is being developed at present for introduction into the senior cycle in 1995. This reform, coupled with an expansion of the leaving certificate vocational programme, will ensure a strengthened vocational and technical dimension within senior cycle programmes, developing both specific vocational skills and the knowledge, adaptability and initiative which are essential to cope in a climate of increasingly rapid change.