asked the Minister for Labour if he will state (a) the total annual national intake of apprentices (b) the number who receive "off-the-job" training in vocational schools (b) the number provided for directly by AnCO and (d) the number trained by individual firms on their own premises; and how he proposes to rationalise and finance apprentice training with a view to securing completion of training and ultimate employment in every case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Apprentice Training.
16.
Mr. O'Leary
The situation with regard to first-year apprentices at present is that—
(a) the total annual intake is approximately 3,000;
(b) some 60 places for full-time off-the-job training are available within the vocational school system which are in addition to the large-scale day and block release training facilities provided in the schools;
(c) 900 places are provided by The Training Authority within their centres, and
(d) a further 480 places are available within industry.
The total number of places available for first-year off-the-job training is, therefore, 1,440, the balance of the total intake being trained on-the-job by industry with block or day release to vocational schools. The Deputy will, of course, appreciate that it is intended to bring in off-the-job training for all first-year apprentices over a period of years.
The training of the big majority of first-year apprentices is financed, primarily, by their employers but the cost of training about 500 apprentices who are not sponsored by employers is financed by The Training Authority. So far as these non-sponsored apprentices and any others who may become redundant are concerned every effort is made by The Training Authority and the National Manpower Service to place them with employers at the end of their off-the-job training or when they become redundant.
(Dublin Central): Could the Minister tell me the total number of applicants who failed to gain admission to the AnCO training centre?
I have not got that figure with me.
(Dublin Central): Can the Minister state the total number of apprentices who received training and failed to secure employment afterwards?
I have not that figure here but, on this query about the position of apprentices, I can tell the Deputy that 3,100 apprentices entered in 1976 as against 2,275 in 1975. Despite the fact that we have been running through a very difficult period, the Deputy will note with satisfaction the increase in the number of apprentices who entered training in 1976 as against 1975. Of course, the figure for this year will be that much better in keeping with the general recovery of the economy which is proceeding.