Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021
608. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he plans to publish the apprenticeship action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4463/21]
View answer609. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the apprenticeship action plan will include concrete targets and measures to increase participation by under-represented groups in apprenticeships such as young women, persons with disabilities, young Travellers and young persons from minority ethnic groups; if the plan will include a national access to apprenticeship programme to support these groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4464/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 608 and 609 together.
In accordance with the Programme for Government, a new Action Plan for Apprenticeship is in development to cover the period 2021-2025 with a target of 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per annum by 2025. The plan will also set out how the apprentice population will more closely reflect the general population and further address the issue of barriers to participation in apprenticeship by under-represented groups by offering targeted supports.
SOLAS conducted a review on Pathways to Participation in Apprenticeship which was published in 2018. It highlighted 5 areas for action to overcome barriers to apprenticeship and facilitate the inclusion of women, people with disabilities and people from minority ethnic groups and the implementation of the report’s actions is ongoing.
A review of the current position of the Pathways to Participation in Apprenticeship findings and recommendations together with findings from stakeholders submissions is being used to inform the new Action Plan which will be finalised in the coming weeks.
Current initiatives underway include:
- A total of 300 learners availed of dedicated pre-apprenticeship training in 2019, growing to 580 places in 2020.
- Almost 1,000 employers have registered with www.apprenticejobs.ie which is designed to increase visibility of opportunities for all potential apprentices.
- Broader approaches to widening access to apprenticeships also include developing links between Youthreach and Community Training Centre (CTC) provision.
- There are now 1,000 female apprentices compared to 25 in 2015
- The roll out of the 2020 Generation Apprenticeship competition at second level reached 156 second level schools, Youthreach Centres and Community Training Centres
- A new user-friendly and interactive website to provide information on, and increase awareness of, apprenticeship was launched in October 2020 (www.apprenticeship.ie )
In addition, 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.
