asked the Minister for Labour if he will take such steps as are necessary to increase the number of apprentices to be trained under most headings in order to increase the skills and jobs prospects of our young people at home or if the unfortunate necessity arises for them to emigrate.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Apprentices' Training.
28.
Primary responsibility for the recruitment and training of apprentices rests with employers, FÁS and the educational system provide the off-the-job element of the training and in addition FÁS recruit a number of apprentices each year to provide for any shortfall likely to arise in given skills because of the numbers taken on by employers.
FÁS are at present reviewing the apprenticeship system with a view to moving towards standards reached rather than a time served system and with a view to reducing the cost of apprenticeship training to the Exchequer. This report is expected to be considered by FÁS before the end of the year and the points raised by the Deputy will be taken into account when the report is being considered.
Will the Minister agree that the end of that exercise should be that those involved would find themselves with a certificate or qualification that is recognised at home and abroad?
I did not hear the Deputy's question.
Will the Minister agree in the review which is taking place, that people undergoing training should end up with a qualification which is immediately recognisable and validated at home and abroad?
I totally agree with the Deputy. We are endeavouring within FÁS to move as quickly as possible to a position where courses would be linked with a City of Guilds certification or some other appropriate certification which would be recognised within the EC. The City of Guilds qualification is recognised throughout Europe.
Will the Minister agree that there is a disquieting trend away from a formalised qualification towards short term, block training of one sort or another? The result is that the qualifications of many young people are not recognised at home or abroad. Their qualifications are not worth the paper they are written on and they are treated as unskilled workers.
The policy I have asked FÁS to pursue — and FÁS are anxious to engage in it — in apprenticeship schemes and other courses is that people should get a clear certification so that they could show what standard they had reached. It would also mean that people going abroad would obtain employment at full rates of pay. At present the year or so taken to pursue a course is not included for the purpose of completing their time. This is an aspect we are very anxious to resolve because if a person over a three or four year period takes two FÁS courses of maybe six months or a year respectively that time should be included in any further training in the same field. This does not just apply to apprenticeship schemes but to all courses.
I submitted a similar question which was disallowed. I am not questioning the reasons for its disallowance but it is an extraordinary thing that I was not notified until the 11th hour that my question had been disallowed. That is a very bad practice and spokesmen should be told well in advance the reason for a question being disallowed so that it could be submitted as a priority.
I note what the Deputy said. I would be surprised if my office were remiss in that regard and I will have the matter investigated.
Thank you very much.
That disposes of questions for today.