Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
127. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will abolish all fees for apprenticeship courses in view of the skills shortage in many trades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58588/21]
View answerWhere an apprentice pays an Annual Student Contribution, he amount of ASC charged to apprentices is calculated on a pro rata basis of the time which they spend in the institution during the academic year. In cases where training is delivered in an Education and Training Board there is no contribution required from the apprentice.
For craft apprenticeships, the ASC charged is typically one third of the €3,000 ASC paid by students attending for the full academic year and so amounts to approximately €1,000 per apprentice per period spent in the IoT or Technological University. In the case of consortia-led apprenticeships the contribution varies for each programme as off-the-job training has a more flexible structure, ranging from periods of block release to one day per week or remote learning options.
The ASC applies to all learners attending a higher education institution. In relation to construction related apprenticeships there has been a significant recovery in registrations in 2021. As a demand driven programme, the number of apprentice placements is determined by employers within the construction sector. In recent years, annual intake in construction related apprenticeships has steadily been increasing, from a low of 650 in 2010 rising to 3,499 in 2019 and 3,924 registrations on construction and electrical related apprenticeships at the end of October 2021.
In addition to the existing construction related craft apprenticeships at level 6 of the National Framework of Qualifications, apprenticeships are currently in development in roofing and cladding (L5) and advanced quantity surveyor (L9).
The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 is a five year plan which sets out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to make apprenticeship accessible to employers and learners. The plan will deliver on a target of 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per annum by 2025 across all sectors of the economy including construction.
Under the Action Plan, craft apprenticeships will migrate from a centralised model of delivery managed by SOLAS to a distributed model of delivery led by industry and education and training providers. This will deliver greater responsiveness to changing demand and it will be delivered over the full duration of the Plan.
Additionally, throughout the duration of the plan, a new National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) will drive central branding and promotional activities targeted to heighten public awareness of the range of apprenticeship offerings in all sectors including construction.
Where a skills need is identified within a sector then a defined employer-led process for proposing and developing an apprenticeship is available through the www.apprenticeship.ie site. Where new and emerging skills needs are identified then actions under the plan will ensure that employers receive practical supports and advice should they wish to develop an apprenticeship within their sector.
