Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2021
24. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress to date under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 launched in April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49817/21]
View answerActions in the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 continue to be implemented, to work towards delivering a flexible and responsive system for employers and potential apprentices, which is attractive and easy to engage with and delivers high standards and sought after qualifications.
A Steering Group, with representatives of SOLAS, the HEA, QQI and the Department is overseeing the broad implementation of the Plan. A Delivery Group with representatives from SOLAS, the HEA and the Department is overseeing the establishment of the National Apprenticeship Office, a key structure which will enable progression of other actions.
Proposed amendments to the Industrial Training Act, 1967 which seek to widen the potential scope of new apprenticeship programmes have been included under the General Scheme of Higher Education Authority Bill, published on the 6th May 2021. The Bill also provides for the statutory recognition of a shared national apprenticeship office between SOLAS and the HEA to facilitate collaboration on the national-level development, monitoring, review and management of the apprenticeship system.
Engagement on developing the Public Service Apprentice Recruitment Plan is progressing, as is work on the inclusion of an apprenticeship/ staff development provision within Public Sector tendering processes.
The Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme has supported a significant recovery of apprentice registrations in 2020 and into 2021 and has enabled apprentice registrations to exceed registrations for 2019. By the end of September 2021 there were 5,525 new registrations compared to 3,034 at the same time in 2020 and 4,451 in 2019. It is likely that registrations will comfortably exceed 6,500 this year with continued strong registration in craft evident over the traditionally slow summer period.
In addition engagement with www.apprenticeshipJobs.ie is being encouraged through the expansion of the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme. Information on apprenticeship will be available on the Central Applications Office website so that those making career decisions next year will be able to consider the merits of an apprenticeship.
The work on the Action Plan is running in parallel to work addressing the current backlog for off-the-job, or workshop-based, training. This is underpinned by Government investment of €20 million. Over 4,800 apprentices currently on a waiting list (40% of those waiting) for off-the-job training are on track to commence their training by the end of 2021. 100% will be returned to workshop-based training in 2022.
The Deputy may wish to note that progress towards the achievement of the baseline actions set out in the Action Plan will be reviewed on an annual basis and a report delivered to Government and published, outlining progress and learnings and setting out detailed areas for action in the next phase of delivery of the Plan.
