Apprenticeship is a work based learning opportunity. It is an employer-led offering based on a contract of employment between the apprentice and their respective employer. It incorporates a minimum of 50% on-the-job training with off-the-job training which is delivered in a number of different ways according to the apprenticeship programme. This ranges from remote or online learning to one day per week in an education institution or periods of off-the-job training (typically from 10-20 weeks) in an education and training institution at further or higher education level.
There are currently 60 different apprenticeships leading to qualifications at level 5-10 on the National Framework of Qualifications, with over 7,000 employers employing almost 20,000 apprentices. Apprentice employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices.
Many academic and vocational courses across the further and higher education and training sector also incorporate work placements, however these learners are not employees for the full duration of their course.
To find an apprenticeship, prospective apprentices can search apprenticeship vacancies on www.apprenticejobs.ie. Almost 1,000 employers have registered with www.apprenticejobs.ie which is designed to increase visibility of opportunities for all potential apprentices. For some apprenticeships, the apprenticeship consortia may run a centralised campaign for access to the apprenticeship. Work to progress towards a single portal through which learners can apply to further or higher education is at an early stage and it is envisaged that this portal will also provide increased visibility of apprenticeship and ETB provision.
The Action Plan for Apprenticeship is in development to cover the period 2021-2025. The plan will target 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per annum by 2025. It will set out a strategy for the coming five year period which will deliver an apprenticeship system which is flexible and responsive, providing a strong value proposition for employers and apprentices, is attractive and easy to engage with, and delivers high standards and sought after qualifications. Achieving this objective will include providing financial and non-financial supports to employers to support participation in apprenticeship and will also include increasing the visibility of apprenticeship job vacancies through centralised advertisement.
