I am informed that the number of apprentices registered by employers in the past 5 years, as well as the total apprentice population for each year is as follows:
Year
|
Registrations
|
Apprenticeship population
|
2008
|
3,765
|
26,170
|
2009
|
1,535
|
21,407
|
2010
|
1,204
|
14,801
|
2011
|
1,307
|
13,001
|
2012
|
1,434
|
8,862
|
2013
|
1,266 (year to date)
|
7,725 (year to date)
|
The above figures also include the relevant data for this year to date. I understand that the equivalent year to date figure for apprentice registrations for 2012 was 1,010 which indicates a 25% increase in 2013.
Under the Action Plan for Jobs my Department has commissioned a review of the Apprenticeship Programme. The consultative phase of the Review has invited submissions from stakeholders in Apprenticeship, and the review will address three key themes:
Consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of the current model of apprenticeship and what improvements can be made to its current structure.
An examination of the alternative methods of work-based training in Ireland.
Consideration of the structural mechanisms, and criteria, under which collaboration with industry/employers can be pursued into the future, either through improved, alternative or complementary models of work-based training.
It is expected that the group leading the review will complete its work before the end of the year.