Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 November 2018
104. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to improve interdepartmental communication and co-operation in the area of the development of apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49413/18]
View answerThis Government is committed to the expansion of the apprenticeship model into new sectors of the economy. The Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship in Ireland 2016-2020 sets out a series of detailed actions and annual targets leading to a cumulative 50,000 learner registering on apprenticeship and traineeship programmes over the period. This represents a more than doubling of activity by 2020.
The achievement of this ambitious target requires commitment from a range of key stakeholders and is dependent on strong employer demand and high levels of economic activity. Key Government Departments and agencies, along with employers, are members of the National Skills Council who advise the Minister for Education and Skills on skills needs and on education and training responses to meeting them. My Department and SOLAS have also engaged with other Government Departments and agencies on public sector recruitment of apprentices. The contribution of apprenticeship to meeting the skills needs of the construction sector is also discussed through the Project 2040 monitoring structures.
My Department continues to engage with all stakeholders including State agencies, employer groups, other Government Departments and education and training providers to promote and develop new apprenticeships. To date 17 new apprenticeship programmes are now operational following the Apprenticeship Council’s two calls for apprenticeship proposals in 2015 and 2017. These new programmes span a variety of sectors ranging from financial services, biopharma, ICT to hospitality. Further new apprenticeships will get underway in 2019 in various sectors including construction, engineering, horticulture and agriculture.
