Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 November 2020
181. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of his plans to amend the Industrial Training Act 1967 to cover certain areas of activity currently excluded from the development of apprenticeships as laid out in the legislative programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35633/20]
View answerThe Industrial Training Act, 1967 sets out a framework for the regulation of some key aspects of apprenticeship. It provides for the designation of an industrial activity as one in which apprenticeship shall apply, the establishment of register of apprentices and the power to make rules governing apprenticeships subject to consultation with the industrial training committee representing workers and employers and the relevant Minister.
The definition of ‘Activity of Industry’ as continued within the Act currently excludes an activity of agriculture, horticulture or fishing which is an activity of primary production, or any activity of a professional occupation. Potential education and training programmes under development in these areas include apprenticeships in applied horticulture, farm management and farm technician as well as applied accounting and advanced quantity surveyor.
Work on the process to amend the legislation is ongoing. The consultation to inform the drafting of Heads of Bill is complete and it is expected that the amendments to the legislation will be progressed in the coming months.
