Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
101. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider protecting the craft apprenticeship model as we move to a unitary system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58644/21]
View answerA clear objective of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 is that there will be a single apprenticeship system underpinned by a clear governance framework with strong stakeholder input.
From consultation with stakeholders, the differences between craft and consortia-led apprenticeships in terms of oversight, delivery and funding has led to a lack of clarity for employers and education and training providers, and to a lesser extent learners, about apprenticeship. It is clear that unless these issues are tackled by moving to a single apprenticeship system, the potential to firmly embed apprenticeship as an attractive and sought-after mode of work based learning will be severely constrained in the years ahead.
The current structures have been subject to two major shocks within the past 20 years. Firstly the collapse of the housing market in 2007 and its impact on craft apprenticeship and secondly the COVID pandemic in 2020 impacting on craft and post 2016 apprenticeships. On both occasions, the partners in the education and training sector have come together to innovate and respond to the challenges faced by the system. On both occasions there have been learnings in relation to the ability of both craft and consortia apprenticeship operating structures to support the rapid change necessary to meet unforeseen challenges.
The single apprenticeship system builds on this, in aiming to deliver a structure which provides for local innovation combined with strong national level supports and coordination of the apprenticeship sector. Migrating the existing structures to the single system will be planned in collaboration with system stakeholders and, for craft apprenticeship, will take place over the full duration of the Action Plan.
