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Apprenticeship Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2018

Tuesday, 3 July 2018

Questions (193, 194)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

193. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the slow progress in developing and introducing new apprenticeship schemes; if he is satisfied that the support given to organisations developing apprenticeships is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29257/18]

View answer

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

194. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average time taken to develop a new apprenticeship programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29258/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.

This Government is committed to expanding the apprenticeship model into new sectors of the economy. Arising from our first call for apprenticeship proposals in 2015, eleven new apprenticeships have been developed in a wide range of sectors, including financial services, engineering, ICT and accounting. Further new apprenticeships will get underway later in 2018. Arising from our second call a further 26 new programmes have been approved for further development into national apprenticeships across a wide variety of sectors including construction, engineering, horticulture and agriculture.

I understand from SOLAS, that based on the experience of consortia to date it is estimated that the development of an apprenticeship generally take between 12-15 months. There is evidence to suggest this timescale can be shorter as a number of new apprenticeship programmes approved for development in December 2017 are due for roll out in 2018. Some apprenticeship programmes have taken a longer period of time to advance. Many programmes are still in development and in the pipeline for roll out by 2020.

There are specific and bespoke resources to assist each apprenticeship consortium in both the development and ongoing operational requirements of delivery of the programmes. My Department, its agencies and the Apprenticeship Council are working in close collaboration, with the combined aim of delivering these programmes, to ensure that all possible support and resources are made available to apprenticeship consortia. Members of the Apprenticeship Council and the key stakeholders are continuing to review and assess the apprenticeship infrastructure to continue to support the programmes underway and the expansion planned by 2020.

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