Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2023
105. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science pursuant to the Public Service Apprenticeship Plan, the status of the commitment for all local authorities and the HSE to recruit at least five craft apprenticeships annually; to clarify how the implementation of this commitment will be monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40733/23]
View answerThe Public Service Apprenticeship Plan outlines how to grow the number of annual apprenticeship registrations across the public service, including local authorities, to 750 by 2025. The Plan is a key commitment of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025. It creates a road-map to the delivery of that target while offering an alternative recruitment approach for public service organisations seeking solutions to skills gaps they are experiencing and also a route for job-seekers interested in a career in the civil service.
2022 saw a total of 373 apprentices registered with public service employers such as the civil service, the Defence Forces and local authorities. This was an increase of 46% on 2021 registrations. The apprentices were on over 20 different programmes in areas as diverse as cyber-security, accounting technician, recruitment, heavy vehicle mechanics and stone-cutting and stone-masonry.
The Plan will be overseen by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. It commits to new programmes to help increase the number of apprentices in the civil service. The two Departments will establish and co-chair a Public Service Apprenticeship Leadership Group (PSALG) to oversee the ongoing implementation and delivery of the agreed actions.
The PSALG will establish proportionate targets for the employment of apprentices within Departments and other public service bodies. All Government departments, HSE, and the Local Government Management Agency will report on how they intend to meet the proportionate targets set. The local authorities and the HSE will recruit at least five craft apprentices per organisation annually.
Local Authorities update
Subject to overall budget allocations within organisations, local authorities are being encouraged to recruit for posts through the use of apprenticeship or to up-skill existing staff through these programmes. They are also encouraged to engage with all available supports for developing an apprenticeship programme. The National Apprenticeship Office provide extensive information for prospective employers on how to engage with the apprenticeship system.
HSE Update
The HSE conducted a feasibility study on the creation of QQI level 5 Apprenticeship Model for Health Care Assistants (HCAs). A wide range of both internal and external stakeholders were interviewed. In total, 16 recommendations were proposed widely categorised under headings such as perception of role, attraction and retention, development of HCA, and the Apprenticeship programme.
To date, the HSE has engaged with DFHERIS, DoH, NAO, QQI and SOLAS to have preliminary meetings to find out about the application and validation process for the apprenticeship programme. HSE is now preparing a business plan identifying resources required to implement a two-year pilot apprenticeship programme. This business plan will be submitted through Estimates process for 2024. Preparatory work of 12 to 14 months duration is required prior to implementing the two-year programme.
