Mary O'Rourke
Question:139 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the progress, if any, made in the last six months towards the introduction of a new hairdressing apprenticeship scheme. [11667/95]
Written Answers. - Hairdressing Apprenticeship Scheme.
Following the approval in principle of the board of FÁS for an apprenticeship in hairdressing, FÁS, in collaboration with subject matter expects from the industry itself, has developed a draft curriculum for the occupation.
The mode of delivery of this curriculum, involving both on and off-the-job training and assessment, and the most appropriate apprenticeship model are the subjects of on-going consultation within the Hairdressing Apprenticeship Review Group. This group is representative of the Irish Hairdressers' Federation, the Irish Business and Employers' Confederation, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Department of Education and FÁS. The group is also considering the likely costs of the apprenticeship and how these are to be funded. When proposals covering these complex issues are agreed, a wider process of consultation with the industry at large may be necessary, due to the fragmented nature of the industry itself.
It is the intention that FÁS will organise a pilot of the hairdressing apprenticeship, subject to agreement being reached on the various issues involved.