Written Answers. - Apprenticeship Programmes.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:
84
Mr. M. Higgins
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the steps which have been taken to resolve the apprenticeship problems identified in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; if the promised special task team has yet been established; when it is likely to report; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[26563/00]
John Browne
Question:
103
Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny)
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the discussions her Department has had with their counterparts in the Department of Education and Science in relation to the provision of additional capacity for phase four and phase six apprentices with FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[26655/00]
Liam Burke
Question:
143
Mr. L. Burke
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the plans she has to improve the timeliness of the provision of off-job training at phases two, four and six of the apprentices system run by FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[26705/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 103 and 143 together.
Framework IV of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness identified a problem in the timely provision of training for apprentices, the consequent backlogs which had arisen and undertook that progress which had been made in addressing these problems would be reviewed at end September 2000.
In October I responded to a question from Deputy Naughten on this subject and detailed the measures which had been put in place to address the backlogs problem. I also indicated that I would arrange for FÁS to brief the Deputy further on the matter and I understand that such a briefing was provided to the Deputy on 13 November.
The capacity problems and backlogs which have arisen in apprenticeship are due to the fact that, currently, there are no limits on entry to apprenticeship for suitably qualified people who are taken into employment by qualified employers. This contrasts with the third level education system, for example, where intake is matched to the availability of places. Against this background, the apprentice population has risen from 10,772 in 1995 to 23,023 currently and this has created significant difficulties and costs in ramping up supply of training places to meet demand and has resulted in delays in offering apprentices their off the job training on schedule.
Concerted efforts have been made to address the problem. The number of training places for phase two has been increased from 3,300 places annually as at September 1996 to a current provision of 7,060 places. Additional resources have been provided in the 2001 Estimates to allow a further ramping up of places to 8,500 by end 2001. FÁS has also introduced administrative changes to working procedures that have significantly improved attendance at training. These changes have resulted in a higher level of throughput due to improved capacity utilisation.
FÁS has overall responsibility for the administration of the apprenticeship system and is in regular contact with officials of the Department of Education and Science and the institutes of technology in regard to the planning and provision of phase four and six training.
The Department of Education and Science has increased the number of phase four and six training places from 4,100 places annually as at September 1996 to a current provision of 9,500 places. The institutes of technology also provided an additional 750 phase four and six training places during summer 2000.
A further increase in phase four and six places is planned, with a target of 11,790 places to be achieved by September 2001. It is also hoped to provide additional places through the mechanism of summer courses in the institutes of technology during 2001.
On the basis of 8,000 new registrations per annum, these changes will have the effect of further improving levels of provision in response to the very significant increases in demand for apprenticeship training over recent years.
As regards the special task team referred to in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, my officials will shortly complete a comprehensive review of the apprenticeship system covering capacity, management and governance of the system. In addition, a member of my Department is currently chairing a subgroup of the expert group on future skills needs which is assessing supply and demand for construction skills. The findings of that group, which includes representatives of Government Departments, FÁS, employers and ICTU will provide an important basis for assessing future apprenticeship requirements. The subgroup will report to the expert group early in the new year.
It is intended to convene the special task team once this work is completed.
