Gerald Nash
Ceist:117. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the work of the Apprenticeship Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11686/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 June 2020
Ceisteanna (117, 118)
Gerald Nash
Ceist:118. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the work of the national apprenticeship advisory committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11687/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together.
The Apprenticeship Council was appointed by the then Minister for Education and Skills in November 2014. The establishment of the Council was a key action in the implementation of recommendations from the independent 2014 Review of Apprenticeship Training in Ireland. The Council is enterprise-led with representatives from business, trade unions, further and higher education bodies and the Department of Education and Skills.
The Council’s achievements to date include overseeing 2 calls for proposals for new apprenticeships in 2015 & 2017. 30 new apprenticeship programmes have been developed spanning a variety of sectors ranging from financial services and ICT to hospitality and biopharma. The Council will continue to work on the expansion of the apprenticeship system with a further 22 programmes in development in various sectors including construction, engineering and agriculture. The Council has also developed detailed arrangements and guidance for the development of a new apprenticeship and plays a leading role in relation to employer feedback on the sustainability of new apprenticeships.
The National Apprenticeship Advisory Committee (NAAC) is a sub-committee of the SOLAS board rather than a body appointed by the Minister or convened by the Department. I have asked SOLAS to send the information requested to the Deputy directly.