Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2017
248. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the improvements and innovations he has made in respect of rolling out industry standard apprenticeship and workplace learning programmes in the catering and hospitality sectors; the way in which he is seeking to engage employers to mentor and train employees in the catering and hospitality sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4475/17]
View answer249. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that qualifications (details supplied) can be rolled out to train and accredit a cohort of skilled staff to deal with the acute staff shortage in the catering industry; if developments have been made in the design of new apprenticeships here; the levels of engagement with employers he is having; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4480/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.
The Apprenticeship Council was established in early 2014 to oversee the expansion of the apprenticeship system into a range of new areas. Its first task was to formally invite proposals for new apprenticeship programmes from consortia of enterprise, professional bodies and education and training providers. Over 80 separate proposals were received all of which were evaluated by the Council. Included in these proposals are a number of proposals in the hospitality sector, particularly in the culinary area.
Work is progressing on the development of a new Commis Chef Apprenticeship led by the Irish Hotels Federation and the Restaurants Association of Ireland working with Kerry Education and Training Board. It is planned that this programme will commence in 2017. The Apprenticeship Council recently approved development funding for a separate proposal to develop a Chef de Partie Apprenticeship. The Council will continue to work closely with these consortia to develop their proposals into sustainable apprenticeships that can be delivered on a nationwide basis.
As the Deputy is aware all statutory apprenticeships in Ireland must lead to an award on the National Framework of Qualifications. Legislative amendments are necessary to facilitate the inclusion of awards made by non-national awarding bodies such as City and Guilds within the National Framework of Qualifications. These amendments will be contained in the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Amendment) Bill. The Heads of this Bill are currently being prepared by my Department in consultation with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
