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Apprenticeship Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Questions (1274, 1279, 1293)

Seán Fleming

Question:

1274. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a person (details supplied) who is completing a plumbing apprenticeship will be able to start their first stage of college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18414/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

1279. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action he will take to ensure that all apprentices whose course has been affected by Covid-19 restrictions will be able to qualify in the same timeframe as they would have done before the restrictions were introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18529/21]

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Michael McNamara

Question:

1293. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated with their next phase of the Solas apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18807/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1274, 1279 and 1293 together.

COVID-19 related suspension of practical training in Training Centres, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities has had a significant impact on the ability of craft apprentices to access off-the-job training waiting times. When permissible, practical training is operating at approximately 50% normal capacity to ensure adherence to public health guidance. This has exacerbated the increasing pressure on craft apprentice off-the-job training facilities which was growing as a result of the 90% increase in apprentice population over the past 6 years. A situation which has impacted on waiting lists for electrical, plumbing and carpentry and joinery in particular.

€20M in capital expenditure has been allocated to SOLAS and the HEA to facilitate an additional 4,000 places across the system in the coming period in addition to €12M already allocated to support additional classes and teaching capacity to ameliorate COVID-19 measures. SOLAS and the HEA are working with the education and training providers to tackle waiting lists and ensuring that apprentices complete their training as quickly as possible once current COVID-19 restrictions allow.

In the interim, education and training providers have front-loaded remote training on theoretical aspects of apprenticeship for craft apprentices to ensure that apprentices are facilitated to continue with their programme. A phased return to face to face training has commenced for those apprentices who had been undertaking remote teaching and learning or who were close to completion of phase 2, 4 or 6 when training was suspended in January 2021.

SOLAS is providing weekly updates directly to apprentices, and employers of apprentices, who are assigned to off-the-job training phases. Scheduling dates for individual apprentices are not available at the current time, with the system focussing on supporting craft apprentices who to complete their phases.

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