Apprenticeship Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023

Tuesday, 25 April 2023

Questions (641)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

641. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide the list of first-year, second-year, third-year and fourth-year apprentices that have completed the requisite on-the-job training for that year, but have yet to be called by Solas to undertake their block release training, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19129/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Deputy Simon Harris)

Craft apprenticeship is modelled on a series of on-the-job (Phase 1, 3, 5, & 7 in the workplace) and off-the-job (Phase 2, 4, & 6 in the education or training centre) components. Apprenticeship programmes are standard based, they are not time based, so the question’s assumption of there being “first-year, second-year, third-year and fourth-year apprentices” is erroneous. For craft apprenticeship programmes, there are 7-phases. While 4 years are estimated for completion, it would be incorrect to equivocate this to the typical 4-year degree programme of a college course.

The SBA model requires an element of flexibility for the employer and for the apprentice. This allows for circumstances arising that may affect timelines, in line with employer and apprentice requirements. As a result, the time for completion of a craft apprenticeship may fluctuate throughout the lifespan of their apprenticeship and a typical waiting time between phases of 6 months is considered part of the normal cycle of the SBA apprenticeship model.

For the individual apprentice, the Covid-19 impact lengthened the apprenticeship training duration beyond the normally anticipated 4-years, considerably so in some cases. As each phase is critical to the overall training and skills development of an apprentice, being in one phase for an extended period of time cannot offset for time needed in a later phase of the apprenticeship due to competence assessment requirements.

At its peak in August 2021, there were over 11,000 apprentices waiting for their off-the-job training. Since then, there has been a major response across the craft apprenticeship system to the delays in accessing off-the-job training and significant progress achieved in the numbers waiting over six months. These stood at almost 5,000 in December and are now reduced to 4,647, notwithstanding continued strong growth in registrations throughout the year.

The number of apprentices currently on an on-the-job phase with their employer, in tabular form, is attached.

Trade by Phase - End of March 2023
Trade	Phase 1	Phase 3	Phase 5	Phase 7	Total
Construction	2441	1250	1190	620	5501
Brick and Stonelaying	63	74	54	43	234
Cabinet Making					0
Carpentry and Joinery	938	458	441	277	2114
Painting and Decorating	31	14	23	10	78
Plastering	15	25	37	7	84
Plumbing	1188	597	569	248	2602
Stonecutting and Stonemasonry	5	4		2	11
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing	201	78	66	33	378
Electrical	4958	1951	2106	932	9947
Aircraft Mechanics		49	26	53	128
Electrical	4445	1579	1885	759	8668
Electrical Instrumentation	183	112	94	41	430
Electronic Security Systems	66	66	37	17	186
Instrumentation	19	11	10	18	58
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning	245	134	54	44	477
Engineering	900	603	384	220	2107
Farriery		7		5	12
Industrial Insulation	8	20	16		44
M.A.M.F.	280	172	118	80	650
Metal Fabrication	366	233	168	86	853
Pipefitting	179	77	13	5	274
Sheet Metalworking	29	40	28	23	120
Toolmaking	38	54	41	21	154
Motor	941	599	550	332	2422
Agricultural Mechanics	49	76	43	29	197
Construction Plant Fitting	64	68	66	31	229
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics	299	120	136	62	617
Motor Mechanics	512	282	285	180	1259
Vehicle Body Repairs	17	53	20	30	120
Printing & Paper	0	0	1	0	1
Print Media			1		1
Grand Total	9240	4403	4231	2104	19978