Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
43. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason some of the craft apprenticeship curriculum course syllabuses are almost 15 years old; and the steps he will take to modernise them. [9108/24]
View answerCraft apprenticeships have a largely standardised delivery model. SOLAS serve as a central coordinating provider, setting curricula across programmes.
Craft apprenticeship programmes are continually monitored with the aim to keeping them up-to-date and in line with industry standards. Programme content is updated from time to time to allow for technical or legislative changes.
QQI will be involved in the revalidation of all craft programmes in the planned move towards a single integrated apprenticeship system which is one of the five overarching objectives under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025.
The table below summarises the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes, the date the curricula was first published, and the latest QQI revalidation date. Of the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes, 5 were revalidated in 2023, 13 were revalidated in 2017, and a further 3 revalidated in 2014. The remaining 4 programmes were last revalidated in 2006:
• The Painting and Decorating review is ongoing as part of the wet trade review, and is anticipated for completion in Q4 2024.
• The Plastering review is ongoing as part of the wet trade review and is anticipated for completion in Q4 2024.
• The review of the Motor Mechanics / Automotive Technology programme is anticipated for submission to QQI for validation in 2024.
• The review of the Construction Plant Fitting programme is anticipated for submission to QQI for validation in Q4 2024.
|
Apprenticeship |
Revision |
First Published (Revision) |
QQI Revalidation Date |
Notes |
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics |
5 |
2016 |
2023 |
Review & validation completed, rollout proposed 2024 |
|
Carpentry & Joinery |
5 |
2016 |
2023 |
Review & validation completed, rollout proposed 2024 |
|
Plumbing |
5 |
2016 |
2023 |
Review & validation completed, rollout proposed 2024 |
|
Metal Fabrication |
5 |
2016 |
2023 |
Review & validation completed, rollout proposed 2024 |
|
Electrical |
5 |
2016 |
2023 |
Review & validation completed, rollout proposed 2024 |
|
Vehicle Body Repair |
4 |
2019 |
2017 |
Revalidation work in progress |
|
Industrial Insulation |
2 |
2009 |
2017 |
Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024 |
|
Agricultural Mechanics |
2 |
2006 |
2017 |
Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024 |
|
Electronic Security Systems |
2 |
2010 |
2017 |
Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024 |
|
Farriery |
2 |
2011 |
2017 |
Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024 |
|
Pipefitting |
2 |
2014 |
- |
Propose submission to QQI 2024 |
|
Sheet Metal Work |
2 |
2006 |
2017 |
Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024 |
|
Electrical Instrumentation |
2 |
2007 |
2017 |
Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024 |
|
Instrumentation |
2 |
2007 |
2017 |
Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024 |
|
MAMF |
2 |
2007 |
2017 |
Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024 |
|
Toolmaking |
2 |
2007 |
2017 |
Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024 |
|
Wood Manufacturing |
2 |
2010 |
2017 |
Curriculum update & rollout proposed 2024 |
|
Brick and Stone |
2 |
2013 |
2017 |
Wet Trade Review Pending |
|
Painting & Decorating |
2 |
2006 |
- |
Wet Trade Review Pending |
|
Plastering |
2 |
2006 |
- |
Wet Trade Review Pending |
|
Aircraft Mechanics |
3 |
2007 |
2017 |
QQI Re-submission 2024-25 |
|
Motor Mechanics/Automotive Technician |
2 |
2006 |
- |
QQI proposed submission date 2024 |
|
Construction Plant Fitting |
2 |
2006 |
- |
QQI proposed submission date 2024/2025 |
|
Stonecutting/Stonemasonry |
2 |
2014 |
- |
QQI for validation in Q4 2024. |
|
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning |
2 |
2014 |
- |
QQI for validation in Q4 2024. |
