Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2017
188. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the approximate time it takes to make new consortia-led apprenticeships operational to apprentices from call for proposals stage to validation by Quality and Qualifications Ireland, to being available for new enrolments; the detail of each stage in the approval and qualification process; and the approximate time it takes for each stage in the process. [54126/17]
View answerThere are 10 main steps involved in developing a national apprenticeship, from research and formulating the outline proposal (step 1) to rolling out the programme with employers and apprentices (step 10). These steps are not necessarily linear and a number can be taken in parallel. Further detail on these steps is set out in the guidance material published in conjunction with the second call and is available at http://www.apprenticeship.ie/en/apprentice/Shared%20Documents/Handbook_document.pdf
The Government’s Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship sets an overall development timeline of 12-15 months for an apprenticeship, which can vary depending on characteristics specific to each apprenticeship. Apprenticeships developed through the first call would typically have taken longer than this, partly because processes and procedures were new for consortia, for providers and for state agencies. The processes involved in developing a new apprenticeship are now clearer and have supported the development of a range of programmes. These including both apprenticeships where co-ordinating providers had the power to validate programmes and make awards and those where validation and award making is performed by Quality and Qualifications Ireland.
