26 Apr 2021, 14:28
The Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will meet tomorrow when Reform of the Apprenticeship Model will be discussed with two key stakeholder groups.
Tomorrow’s meeting will be streamed live on Oireachtas TV and begins at 12.30pm in Committee Room 4, with the following witnesses appearing.
- Mr. Andrew Brownlee, CEO
- Dr. Mary-Liz Trant, Executive Director for Delivery, SOLAS.
- Mr. Paul Healy, CEO.
- Ms. Tracey Donnery, Executive Director, Policy & Communications, Skillnet Ireland.
SOLAS is the State agency tasked with creating Ireland’s Further Education and Training sector, while Skillnet seeks to advance workforce development.
The meeting will explore the topic of reform of the Apprenticeship Mode and how to rebrand it as a viable career option equivalent to higher level qualifications. Furthermore, the committee will look at how to restructure non traditional apprenticeships , encourage more female apprentices, and provide the requisite apprenticeship training to ensure a skilled workforce for a just transition to a green economy
Speaking in advance of the meeting, Committee Chair, Paul Kehoe TD, said: “The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 was launched a week ago, and it sets out a five year strategy to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment of reaching 10,000 new apprentice registrations per year by 2025.
“There are many elements to this plan, and, it is timely that on Tuesday we will explore how the Apprenticeship reforms will be driven by the key State agencies involved. Apprenticeship Training is a key priority for the Committee.”
For more information about the work of the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science see the Committee webpage
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