The Community Youth Training Programme was introduced in the late 1980s and provided training for unemployed construction workers and time served apprentices to complete industry approved community based training projects.
In 1993 the new Standards Based Apprenticeship Scheme was introduced which required apprentices to be registered with a FÁS approved employer, who has the range of work, range of equipment and skilled craftspersons to train apprentices in the relevant trades.
The Community Youth Training Programme as previously constituted would not provide the necessary range of work and skills development in a commercial environment to ensure that apprentices reach the minimum standard of skills, knowledge and competence required by Industry.