Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1184. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person (details supplied) can be called for phase 2 of their apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20038/22]
View answerCraft apprenticeships account for 25 of the 64 existing available apprenticeship Programs. Given the practical nature of off-the-job training for craft apprentices, the COVID-related shutdown of on-site learning activity in 2020 and 2021, combined with classes running at approximately 50% capacity to allow for social distancing measures, had a significant impact on the ability of craft apprentices to access off-the-job training.
From September 2021 classes have been scheduled at full capacity (14-16 per class) whereas prior to this they had been scheduled on the basis of 7-8 per class to comply with public health advice.
More than 8,400 apprentices or over 70% who were delayed in their training by Covid-19 have now progressed in their off-the-job training. This includes over 700 final year apprentices who have been fast-tracked to complete their qualification. The backlog is tackled in order of those apprentices who have been waiting longest. Over 700 apprentices who were in the final stages of their apprenticeship were supported to complete an accelerated final phase of workplace training and are now receiving their qualification.
In order to ensure that all apprentices are treated equitably, apprentices will be called in order of longest waiting for their Phase. Officials in my department continue to engage with SOLAS for updates on progress with these waiting lists on behalf of all apprentices including this individual.
It is expected that the majority of craft apprentices waiting for off-the-job training for phases 4 and 6 on target to be cleared by mid/end-2022.The majority of phase 2 waiting lists is expected to be on target to be cleared by the end of 2022.
