Written Answers Nos. 152-165
152. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 10 November 2021, if the single apprenticeship system that both consortia-led and craft apprenticeships will be migrated to by 2025 will most closely resemble the craft or consortia-led model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56264/21]
View answer154. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason all apprenticeships are being migrated to a consortia-led model when the success of consortia-led model has not yet been demonstrated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56322/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 154 together.
The pathway to delivering the intended growth of the apprenticeship system as set out in the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 has been informed by a significant and extensive consultation process. Details of the consultation, and findings arising from the process are set out on www.gov.ie/en/consultation/13be2-consultation-on-the-apprenticeship-action-plan-2021-2025/.
In moving to a single model the objective is to build on the strengths of both the existing craft and the consortia led models. The single model must be capable of delivering apprenticeships which can flex to accommodate the rapid rate of change driven by technological adaption, digital and environmental transformation which is inherent in today’s economy while retaining the high standards required from Ireland’s apprenticeship system.
The existing craft apprenticeship structure relies on a heavily standardised approach to the 25 existing programmes, with academic oversight and curriculum development undertaken by a central body (SOLAS). All craft apprenticeships are four years in duration, with the majority of programmes following a standard seven phase approach of on-the-job and off-the-job training. Advice from the partners on the structure and content of the apprenticeships is through a subcommittee of the SOLAS Board, with Phase 2 delivery undertaken across the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and phase 4 and 6 undertaken in the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through the HEA. There is significant partnership and buy-in from the education and industry partners and a well established reputation internationally.
The existing system has seen two major shocks in the past 15 years, firstly the 2007 housing and economic crash and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic. While those involved in apprenticeship delivery have moved to meet the challenges presented on both occasions, the need for rapid movement has also highlighted limitations of the more centralised craft apprenticeship system compared to individual consortia who had more flexibility to adapt delivery and assessment processes to the changed environment.
The existing consortia-led or post-2016 apprenticeships operate under a structure whereby the academic content of the apprenticeship is agreed by a consortium of education and training providers, employers and relevant partners with the off-the-job training delivery managed by coordinating providers who are themselves part of the consortium. This approach has allowed for rapid re-alignment of off-the job training delivery to allow for apprenticeships to continue insofar as possible during the COVID-19 period, proving resilience and flexibility under testing conditions. Apprentice Occupational Profiles, including QQI level and duration are approved at national level through the Apprenticeship Council.
Over the period of the action plan, the dual system of programme governance will be replaced by a single distributed system of programme governance – the single apprenticeship system. Responsibility for curriculum and apprenticeship content will be placed close to where activity is taking place which will leverage the core strengths of education and training providers, employers and partners who are immersed in the respective industry. It will also foster the integration of apprenticeship within the quality assurance arrangements of the educational institutions across further and higher education. The new National Apprenticeship Office will bring together the oversight and funding roles of SOLAS and the HEA as they relate to apprenticeship into a single office, providing national level oversight of all apprenticeships. The office will provide support for the new apprenticeship consortia and will be informed by the National Apprenticeship Alliance which will comprise stakeholder representatives, including a subcommittee focussed on advising measures for broadening diversity in the apprentice population. Therefore, while there is a move towards a distributed model of apprenticeship, there is a significantly changed and enhanced role for national level governance and oversight mechanisms.
The process by which this transition will take place will be planned in close collaboration with apprenticeship stakeholders, including union partners, through representation on the National Apprenticeship Advisory Committee and the National Apprenticeship Alliance.
153. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider ending the exemption of apprenticeships from the minimum wage legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56321/21]
View answer155. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to begin monitoring the wages paid to apprentices in the consortia-led model given that apprentices are exempt from the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 and SOLAS only monitors the wages paid to craft apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56323/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 155 together.
Apprentices are employed under a Contract of Apprenticeship. In the case of the 37 apprenticeships established since 2016, the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer. The minimum rate of pay for the 25 craft apprenticeships are agreed by the partners within the relevant sector, or are set out in Sectoral Employment Orders (Construction Sector and Mechanical Engineering Building Services Contracting Sector). Minimum agreed rates vary between occupations and sectors but in all cases craft apprenticeship rates are expressed as a proportion of the qualified rate, from 33% of the qualified rate in year one to 90% in year four. All apprentices are excluded from the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000.
Neither the Department or SOLAS monitor or collect data in relation to apprentice wages other than in relation to the payment of training allowances. Training allowances paid to craft apprentices by Education and Training Boards (through the Education Shared Business Services) on periods of off the job training are based in the agreed industry rate.
The core regulatory standards for apprenticeship provided for in the 1967 Act have been enhanced through statutory rules and administrative guidance. A significant number of measures are in place to support and protect the apprentice. The Apprenticeship Code of Practice, which specifies the rights and responsibilities of apprentices and employers and is signed by both parties, forms the basis of each apprenticeship contract. In tandem with adherence to core regulatory standards, apprenticeships are underpinned by a strong framework of quality assurance to ensure programmes provide a high quality learning experience for apprentices.
Under the new Action Plan apprentices will be supported to complete their programmes through clearer communication, support networks and increased ownership of their learning journey. The voice of apprentices in shaping the future of the system will be formalised within the single system of apprenticeship, enhancing the existing apprentice feedback mechanism which is inherent in the QQI quality processes. Apprentices will be included both looking to the future through representation on the apprenticeship stakeholder oversight and advisory structures and also through an annual survey of apprentices which will provide a robust system view for the prior year. This will provide multiple fora through which apprentices may voice concerns over any issues pertaining to the conditions of their employment, which may then be addressed directly. Monitoring medium to long term outcomes for apprentices will also be formalised through the commencement of graduate tracking.
156. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide complete lists of all consortia-led apprenticeships including the details of the education providers and accrediting agency, duration and total enrolment figures in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56324/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being compiled by SOLAS. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
157. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average waiting time for craft apprentices to access off-the-job training; the number of apprentices waiting to access same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56325/21]
View answerCraft apprenticeships account for 25 of the 62 existing available apprenticeship programmes. They comprise of a standard seven phase programme of alternating on-the-job and off-the-job phases. The off-the-job training for these programmes is delivered in Training Centres, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities. Given the practical nature of off-the-job training for craft apprentices, the shutdown of on-site learning activity in 2020 and 2021 had a significant impact on the ability of craft apprentices to progress through their course.
At the end of October 10,333 craft apprentices were waiting for access to off-the-job training. 6,426 of these were waiting over 6 months, of which 3,942 of these were waiting longer than one year. The average waiting time is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy once available.
In addition to the general activity surrounding a return to on-site learning across the further and higher education sector a number of specific actions were put in place to support craft apprentices to progress in their training in a timely manner.
2022 will see an increase of over 3,100 off-the-job training places being made available across craft apprenticeship phases 2, 4 and 6 over 2021 scheduled numbers (pre-COVID expected provision). This additional capacity has already begun to come on-stream from September 2021 and will be delivered under a three-step response plan agreed by SOLAS, HEA and education and training providers. The immediate focus is on the three craft apprenticeships with the longest waiting lists, namely Electrical, Plumbing and Carpentry & Joinery.
For Phase 2, which is delivered in ETBs, a focused, time-limited response will increase the number of intakes per year from two to three. Planning is also underway for further expansion of workshops to facilitate additional classes in 2022. Phase 2 off-the-job training capacity is expected to increase to 5,390 places in 2022. Phase 4 and 6 training is delivered in Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities. In the region of 8,800 off-the-job training places will be provided across phases 4 and 6 in 2022, growing to over 9,000 off-the-job training places the following year.
€17m additional funding was provided under Budget 2022 to facilitate the response to the backlogs across SOLAS and the HEA. Subject to continued access to workshops and training facilities in addition to the rollout of additional places, it is expected that the majority of craft apprentices waiting for off-the-job training at Phases 4 and 6 will be called in the early months of 2022. The waiting list for Phase 2 apprentices is expected to be completely cleared by the end of 2022. Public updates on actions taken to address the waiting lists are posted on www.apprenticeship.ie to ensure that information is available to apprentices, employers and prospective apprentices.
158. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will urgently review and provide assistance in respect of a SUSI application by a person (details supplied) which remains unanswered following multiple representations on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56342/21]
View answerThe main support available to assist postgraduate students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme.
As per Article 14 (2) of the Student Grant Scheme 2021, a student is not eligible for a grant if they have been awarded or hold a grant, scholarship, prize, allowance or bursary which is made from public funds in the State, or equivalent from a Member State, the EEA or Swiss Confederation.
The July Stimulus package provided modular skills courses in higher education institutions in the academic year 2020/21. These courses were short and focused and allowed people to gain important skills without taking a considerable period away from the labour market. These are only available for 2020/2021 academic year as funding was allocated as a response to the impacts of the global pandemic, providing upskilling and reskilling places for those who have been most affected and ensuring that they have the skills most needed by employers today. If the student is in receipt of funding from the HEA July Stimulus Programme then they are not eligible for funding from SUSI.
The decision on student grant eligibility for a student grant is a matter for SUSI to determine. Officials in my Department have been advised by SUSI that the student referred to by the Deputy was issued a student grant decision letter on 21st June 2021.
159. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of new apprentices registered to consortia-led apprenticeships that were already employed by the company for more than six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56386/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not collected by SOLAS. A 2019 survey of apprentices used to inform the development of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship indicated that, at that point, 8% of craft and 43% of non-craft apprentices worked for the same employer before registering as an apprentice.
In the same survey, 54% of craft apprentices and 78% of other apprentices worked full-time for an employer or as self-employed before registering as an apprentice. It should be noted that post-qualification work experience is an entry requirement for a number of postgraduate level apprenticeships.
160. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current drop-out rate of consortia-led apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56387/21]
View answerApprentices end their registration for a variety of reasons including failed assessments, pursuing another career or educational programme or personal reasons such as serious illness etc. 441 apprentices withdrew from consortia led apprenticeships between 2016 and 2020. The breakdown per apprenticeship, and overall non-completion rate to date is listed on the attached.
161. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the minimum duration allowed for a consortia-led apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56388/21]
View answerThe minimum duration of a national apprenticeship programme is two years.
162. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average age of a craft apprentice; the average age of a consortia-led apprentice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56389/21]
View answerThe current apprentice population has an average craft apprentice age of 20 years, for all other apprentices this is 27 years.
163. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of graduate entry medical students in each year since 2006, excluding non-EU international students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56390/21]
View answer166. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places in medicine in each institution by undergraduate and graduate entry medicine for students from Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, other EU and non-EU international since 2016, excluding those repeating first year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56427/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 166 together.
The attached Excel spreadsheet contains information relating to PQs 56390/21, and 56427/21, as regards (a) the number of graduate entry medical students in each year since 2006, excluding non-EU international students, and (b) the number of places in medicine in each institution by undergraduate and graduate entry medicine for students from Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, other EU and non-EU international since 2016, excluding those repeating first year.
It should be noted that that the data provided for PQ 56390/21 – requesting the number of graduate entry medicine enrolments for IE and EU domiciled students dating back to 2006 – is provided in two separate sheets. This is to take account of the reclassification of ISCED codes for medicine in 2014/2015. Also, please note that data in this area is only available back as far as 2007/2008. Data is provided for year 1 students only, and the total number of students across all years of study.
Sheet 3 in the attached provides the total number of year 1 medicine enrolments across HEIs, broken down by domicile (PQ 56427/21).
Ensuring that there is a sufficient number of places, and of trained healthcare professionals, is a matter of great importance to me and my Department, and my Department and the Department of Health are liaising in this matter.
164. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the criteria for the drawdown from the fund for former workers of a company (details supplied); and when this criteria was adopted by SOLAS. [56416/21]
View answer165. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the use which will be made of remaining funds of the outstanding balance of the €3 million allocated to the fund for former workers of a company (details supplied) at the end of the two year period of the fund. [56417/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
The €3m Training Fund for the former workers of Debenhams Ireland is being financed from the National Training Fund. As proposed by the Chairman of the Labour Court the Fund will operate for a maximum of 2 years or until fully expended. Any unspent amount of the €3m allocation will return to the National Training Fund.
As set out in the proposal from the Chairman of the Labour Court, the Fund will be partly modelled on, but not funded by, previous European Globalisation Adjustment Fund programmes which provided assistance in cases of large scale redundancies. SOLAS has engaged with the Union representatives on the proposed scope of the Fund and submitted a final proposal to my Department in August, 2021.
Under the arrangements for the Fund, SOLAS will provide personalised advice and guidance to the former workers. This service will include initial engagement with each individual, the preparation of an individual electronic case file and action plan and the development of a client profile. There will be financial supports available for additional services such as occupational guidance and career planning support; privately provided accredited educational programmes and course expense contributions.
The level of demand for support from, and the operation of, the Fund will be monitored by the Advisory committee, which includes representatives of Mandate and SIPTU on behalf of the former workers, established to support the implementation of the Fund.
