I propose to take Questions Nos. 628 to 631, inclusive, together.
SOLAS does not operate a capacity model in the managing of the provision of the existing craft apprenticeship programmes. As the Deputy is aware apprenticeship is a demand driven alternate educational and training programme and the allocation of provision is determined by the skill demands of employers.
SOLAS, through its Skills and Labour Market and Research Unit (SLMRU) and its Apprenticeship Services Unit, regularly conducts forecasts of apprenticeship requirements. The SLMRU has developed a comprehensive methodology to generate annual five-year forecasts of apprentice intake for construction trades. The forecasts are revised annually and are due to be updated later this year. The methodology takes account of output forecasts, in money terms, for various segments of the construction industry, the CSO’s Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) and the relationship between apprentice intake and employment trends in the sectors.
Forecasts are used by both SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for planning purposes and, where apprenticeship registrations are particularly strong, provision is allocated strategically on a nationwide basis. The forecasts for registrations in the craft apprenticeship programmes remain strong and I am confident that there is effective capacity planning for apprenticeship programmes.
SOLAS works closely with my Department in managing apprenticeship provision. Since 2015 the Department has allocated additional apprenticeship instructor posts to SOLAS for dissemination across the Education and Training Board network. SOLAS has allocated over half of these additional posts as electrical instructor posts to ensure provision is matched with demand. Furthermore, a number of ETBs are in the process of introducing new facilities to meet the increased demand in the construction and electrical sectors. While labour market trends remain difficult to predict in a rapidly changing labour market, SOLAS is satisfied that with this additional provision being put in place there will be sufficient provision to meet the current and expected demands from the construction and electrical sectors.