Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
569. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the introduction of a national access to apprenticeship programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28663/20]
View answerA total of 300 learners availed of dedicated pre-apprenticeship training in 2019, growing to 580 places in 2020. SOLAS, in partnership with the HEA and with the support of the Apprenticeship Council, intends to continue developing access pathways with all providers, including TU Dublin, during 2020 and into the 2020-2021 academic year.
Technological University Dublin has developed an Access to Apprenticeship programme. This innovative pilot programme supports the transition of young people (16-24 years old) from areas of socio-economic disadvantage into craft apprenticeships. To date over 118 young men and women have progressed into apprenticeships through this program.
In addition to pre-apprenticeship programmes, initiatives underway to boost apprenticeship across tertiary education include:-
- The apprenticeship “jobs market” platform (www.apprenticejobs.ie) is designed to increase visibility of opportunities for all potential apprentices. It is free to use by employers who are approved by SOLAS to train apprentices and potential apprentices. To date 963 Employers have registered with the platform.
- A new online facility for approving new apprenticeship employers went live in October 2019 to streamline the application process for employers wishing to take on apprentices.
- The Generation Apprenticeship competition was rolled out at second level for the first time in 2020 with 156 second level schools, Youthreach Centres and Community Training Centres taking part (see www.gacomp.ie).
- Broader approaches to widening access to apprenticeships also include developing links between Youthreach and Community Training Centre (CTC) provision.
