Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 July 2018
111. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on his Department’s fulfilment of the targets set out in the Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship in Ireland 2016-2020; his views on whether all targets set out in the plan will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22629/18]
View answerThe Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship in Ireland 2016-2020 sets out a series of detailed actions and annual targets on how the expansion commitments in the area set out in the Action Plan for Education will be met. Over the lifetime of the plan we will see 50,000 learners register on apprenticeship and traineeship programmes. This represents a more than doubling of activity by 2020. The achievement of this target will require commitment from a number of key stakeholders and is dependent on strong employer demand and economic capacity.
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.
In addition, arising from last year’s second call for proposals, I recently announced 26 new programmes for further development into national apprenticeships across a wide variety of sectors including construction, engineering, horticulture and agriculture. These new programmes, once developed, will add to and complement the range of apprenticeships currently on offer in developing the skill needs of our economy.
As well as developments in new apprenticeships, as the employment and economic situation continues to improve, we have seen strong growth in registrations across the craft trades nationally during 2017 with 4,508 at year end, which represents a 20% increase on 2016.
This Government is also prioritising the expansion of traineeship offerings. At the end of 2017, an additional eight new traineeships had been developed in areas such as hospitality, engineering and animation. These new programmes will complement the existing programmes on offer. The programmes have been designed by ETBs working in collaboration with employers to meet identified skill needs. In addition, we have broadened the eligibility criteria on participation to include school leavers, older learners and people in employment.
I am confident that we will deliver on our targets and that learners, employers and our economy will benefit as a result.
