Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2020
326. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which the number of students taking up fourth-level education can be encouraged into the technical area with increased emphasis on apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42829/20]
View answerApprenticeship in Ireland has undergone significant reform and expansion over the past 5 years. In this period, 34 new apprenticeship programmes across all sectors of the economy including new and growing areas – cybersecurity, CGI technical artistry, accountancy, supply chain management, manufacturing technology, and biopharma – have been designed and delivered by consortia comprising representatives from across relevant industry sectors and educational providers. There are an additional 20 apprenticeships in development as of the end of 2020.
The level of qualifications encompassed by apprenticeship has broadened from the QQI level 6 national certificates linked to craft apprenticeship to new qualifications offered from level 5-10 of the national framework of qualifications (Where levels 9 and 10 are postgraduate level). Two QQI level 9 programmes in the supply chain and logistics area were launched in 2019 followed by the first QQI level 10 apprenticeship, Principal Engineer, which was launched recently. Five additional apprenticeships at level 9 are currently in development in the areas of construction, engineering, hospitality, finance and ICT.
As a demand driven programme new apprenticeship development is dependent on an employer-led approach while the number of apprenticeship placements is determined by employers within any given sector. The development of postgraduate level apprenticeships has now been established and the forthcoming Action Plan on Apprenticeship will build on the successes and learnings from both the craft and consortia-led approaches to ensure that apprenticeship will form a significant part of the Government’s response to recovery from the COVID-19 crises and the development of a skilled workforce into the future.
