Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
873. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he provided funding to schools to engage in an apprenticeship transitional programme as provided by a school (details supplied) in Cork city. [54840/23]
View answerDuring 2023, as part of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) began engagement with partners at second level and in further and higher education to explore the development of a Transition Unit (TU) on national apprenticeship options for delivery in Transition Year and with similar age cohorts in other second level settings (Youthreach and Community Training Centres). The NAO has not engaged, as of yet, with the school referred to by the Deputy. However, it is envisaged that the TU will ultimately be available to all second level schools and further education providers.
The response from partners has been positive and the 2024 workplan for the NAO will include the development of a TU with the aim of implementation from September 2024. Furthermore, the NAO has confirmed that it can work with the school referred to as part of this.
