Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2021
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of new educational programmes and qualifications in the past three years developed to reflect the demands of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50149/21]
View answerQuality and Qualifications Ireland approves programmes offered at a variety of schools, colleges and further and higher education and training institutions. Since 1st September 2018 it has approved 141 new programmes and revalidated 59 programmes. I understand that the universities and their associated colleges have 48 degrees on offer through the CAO this year that have been introduced since 2018. There would also be a range of new postgraduate provision in the universities in that timeframe. The further and higher education sectors are responsive to changes in the world of work and there are a range of specific programmes supporting this collaboration.
The Action Plan for Apprenticeship seeks to deliver on a target of 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per annum by 2025. 37 new programmes have been introduced since 2016, 17 programmes are in development and a number of other potential apprenticeships are at an exploratory stage.
Within the Higher Education Sector, Springboard+ and the Human Capital Initiative provide specific targeted provision aimed at skills needs. A key objective of Springboard+ is to enhance collaboration between enterprise and higher education to design and deliver relevant courses that support job creation and expansion in line with the Government’s Future Jobs Ireland, National Skills Strategy, and National Development Plan. Courses proposed for inclusion in Springboard+ can be in all skills categories where strong and clear evidence of a regional or national need is articulated with evidenced enterprise support. Providers are advised to consider the key areas of digital skills, transversal skills, management and leadership skills and the workplace of the future.
The Human Capital Initiative has a strong focus on innovation and agility, to enable us to future proof our graduates, and ensure that our graduates and the higher education system as a whole are in a position to respond to the constantly evolving skills needs of the economy. HCI Pillar 1 offers full-time conversion programmes to candidates (who hold a level 8 qualification or equivalent) to upskill for future job prosperity in areas such as; ICT, Engineering, Data Analytics and Technology. For the 2020/21 academic year there are 13,444 places in 408 courses under Springboard+ 2021 and HCI Pillar 1.
Within the further education sector, SOLAS works with Education and Training Boards, Regional Skills Fora and local enterprises across Ireland to develop FET programmes that are responsive to the rapidly evolving skills, social and economic landscape unique to each region. This work is supported by the SOLAS Skills and Labour Market Research Unit, the National Skills Council) and the National Training Fund Advisory Group.
