My Department has engaged with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the National Standards Authority of Ireland, NSAI, on this issue. An information leaflet is being prepared for the sector for distribution through local enterprise offices, LEOs.
In 2015, education and training boards, ETBs, and institutes of technology will offer over 2,000 places on a variety of welding courses. Typically, fees are not payable by unemployed people but are charged to those in employment. Subsidised training is also provided through two Skillnets networks in responsible welding co-ordinator training. While welding practices and co-ordination are important elements to compliance with this directive, it should be noted that other compliance elements need to be tailored to the specific workplace and cannot, therefore, be arranged through the mainstream education and training system. My Department funds ETBs and institutes of technology and provides co-financing to Skillnets but does not provide grants to employers to access training. It funds educational training provision in respect of welding skills, as well as responsible welding co-ordinator skills through the ETBs and the further and higher education system. There are several elements involved in the route to compliance with this directive regarding steel fabrication. Several of those elements, including factory production control procedures, welding process specifications and applications of the NSAI for audit and certification, require an audit and assessment of the workplace and cannot, therefore, be arranged through the mainstream education and training system.
