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Education Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021

Tuesday, 30 November 2021

Questions (96)

John Brady

Question:

96. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a commitment will be given to establish a national training scheme with established qualifications in County Wicklow to service offshore wind energy farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58620/21]

View answer

Written answers

The growth of the renewable energy sector is critical to meeting our Climate Action targets and the Government are committed to ensuring that the education and training system is appropriately positioned to support the growth and the development of the skills required to support the sector into the future.

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) Skills for the Zero Carbon Economy report was published on the 23rd November. This report sets out the demand for skilled workers required to support the growth of renewable energy generation over the coming 10 year period. Engineers, Electrical and electronics technicians, ecology and environmental experts among others will be required to support the development of this vital element of Ireland's move to a Zero Carbon Economy.

The national skills infrastructure provides a robust framework to support industry to meet skills needs. While a structured response to the specific skills identified in the newly published report will be delivered over the coming period, the education and training sector is already working collaboratively with the wind industry to deliver on required skills needs across both further and higher education institutions.

Under Budget 2022, a total investment of €78 million for reskilling and upskilling was provided including a €22 million Green Skills Action programme and continued investment in supporting businesses. Ireland’s recent Recovery and Resilience Plan included SOLAS’s Recovery Skills Response Programme will see a range of additional educational and training programmes rolled out as part of the Skills to Compete and the establishment of the SOLAS Green Skills Action programme focusing on providing training to address climate and low carbon economy issues. This approach will span all of Ireland, including the South East.

There are a number of Wind Energy Schemes currently established nationwide. Kerry Education and Training Board offer a full suite of training schemes such as the Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician traineeship which was established in 2014. This traineeship typically lasts 39 weeks and includes a minimum of 30 percent on-the-job training. Upon completion, trainees may receive a City and Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering, with high placement rates for graduate trainees.

Kerry ETB has also developed the Wind Turbine Maintenance apprenticeship programme which was submitted to Quality and Qualifications Ireland in June of this year for validation at level 6 NFQ. The apprenticeship is expected to commence in Q1, 2022, subject to completion of validation.

The Green Tech Skillnet also provides training opportunities in wind energy both for those working in the industry and for people looking to enter the wind industry. The Green Tech Skillnet is an enterprise-led network facilitating the workforce and development needs of the Irish renewable energy industry. Green Tech Skillnet is promoted by Wind Energy Ireland (WEI), the representative body for the Irish wind industry, working to promote wind energy as an essential, economical and environmentally friendly part of the country’s low-carbon energy future. In 2020, Green Tech Skillnet supported over 180 companies and provided upskilling to over 600 employed trainees through 1,700 training days in courses that include –

- Introduction to Wind

- Advanced Composite Wind Turbine Blade Repair

- The Clean Energy Package Review and Risk Assessment and,

- Wind Turbine Technician.

Green Tech Skillnet also delivers programmes through the Skills Connect initiative to support jobseekers seeking to enter the renewable sector which includes a wind turbine technician programme.

At higher education level, 14 courses in renewable energy have been established under Springboard+ 2021. Under HCI Pillar 1, there are 5 courses in or related to renewable energy and 2 under HCI Pillar 2. HCI Pillar 3, Innovation and Agility has two key areas of focus – innovation in modes and methods of delivery and an agility fund. There are 17 projects in or related to renewable energy within this stream, aiming to ensure that courses in areas of skills needs demonstrate innovative methods of teaching and delivery.

The expansion of education and training delivery to support the skills required to support the growth of the offshore wind energy sector will be determined in a structured manner under the skills infrastructure mechanism.

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