Written Answers Nos. 733-751
733. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way a gender perspective is being included in the Disability Participation and Consultation Network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17492/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disability Participation and Consultation Network was established in 2020 as a mechanism to ensure that people with a disability and their representative organisations are involved in the development of policy and legislation.
The Network is made up of an Organising Member and four Grant Funded Members who play a central role in coordinating and organising the the work of the Network. The remaining membership of the Network is made up of organisations and indviduals with lived experience of disability. The make up of membership of the Newtork includes organisations with specific focus on gender perspectives for people with disabilities. These organisations can bring that expertise to bear on the work of the Network.
As part of the Grant Agreements which the Department signed with the Organising Member and Grant Funded Members, the Grantees were advised of the requirement to have due regard to the Public Sector and Equality and Human Rights Duty.
734. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way children and young persons with disabilities are being included in the Disability Participation and Consultation Network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17493/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disability Participation and Consultation Network was established in 2020 as a mechanism to ensure that people with a disability and their representative organisations are involved in the development of policy and legislation.
The Network is made up of an Organising Member and four Grant Funded Members who play a central role in coordinating and organising the the work of the Network. The remaining membership of the Network is made up of organisations and indviduals with lived experience of disability. Many of the members of the Network have experience in engaging with children and young people as part of their work/experience and can draw on this experience in the Network's activities.
Hearing from and including children, including children with disabilities in matters that affect them is a core tenant of both the UNCRC and the UNCRPD. My Department has a Participation,Play, Recreation and Culture Unit that works to ensure that children and young people participate in decision making. The involvement and engagement of children with disabilities is included in that work.
735. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions his Department is taking to implement the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17516/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy was published in 2018 and it is a world first, action-oriented mission to ensure all LGBTI+ young people are visible, valued and included. This Strategy remains a key commitment for my Department as part of the 2020 Programme for Government. The Strategy also plays an important part to achieve the Government's broader commitment to continue to strive for the full inclusion of LGBTI+ people in Irish society. The implementation of the Strategy is supported by its partner strategy, the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021.
The mission of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy is that all LGBTI+ young people are visible, valued and included. Three strategic goals were identified to support the achievement of the LGBTI+NYS mission:
- Goal 1: create a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for LGBTI+ young people
- Goal 2: improve the mental, physical and sexual health and wellbeing of the entire LGBTI+ community
- Goal 3: develop research and data environment to better understand the lives of LGBTI+ young people
These goals cascade down into 15 Objectives and 59 actions, involving collaboration between Government Departments, Agencies and sectors. The Goals are aligned to the five national outcomes of the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020 (BOBF) and governance and implementation of LGBTI+NYS sits within the comprehensive Framework for the implementation of BOBF, as one of its constituent strategies. Implementation of the LGBTI+NYS is supported within the BOBF Framework by the LGBTI+ Youth Forum, which involves young people in implementing the strategy, an annual implementation forum and the appointment of Olivia McEvoy to the Oversight Committee of the BOBF Advisory Council specifically to represent LGBTI+NYS.
In October 2019 the First Report on the Implementation of the National LGBTI+ Youth Strategy 2018 – 2020 was published, which delineated the implementation of each Goal, Objective and Action up to the 4th quarter of 2019. This report, available on the Gov.ie website, shows that, by 2019, 56 of the 59 actions had either already been started (46) or had reported a plan for carrying out the action (10). For the remaining 3 actions, 2 actions had not been reported on and 1 action was under review.
The actions initiated in the first year of implementation focused on the lives of LGBTI+ young people across a range of sectors, particularly in education, health, and safe and inclusive spaces. Since the publication of the First Implementation Report actions from the Strategy have continued to be implemented across Government and the reporting cycle for 2019 through to the end of the Strategy will begin in the coming months.
In 2020, my Department continued to implement commitments in the Strategy, and to move forward with cross-Government leadership and coordination of the Strategy. Actions in this year continued to focus on capacity building and ensuring services provision, with an emphasis on rural areas. Due to the Covid pandemic, I extended the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy into 2021 to ensure implementation of all outstanding actions. The current 2021 priority actions for my Department include:
- LGBTI+ Youth Forum: Delivering the work programme of the LGBTI+ Youth Forum to support implementation of the strategy. The youth forum have continued to meet online over the public health emergency and have redrafted plans for a number of actions to take account of Covid restrictions.
- Capacity Building: A new scheme with a focus on Family Support and Youth Service provision at local level was recently launched in partnership with Tusla.
- LGBTI+ Youth Leadership Programme: The LGBTI+ Youth Leadership Programme was announced in early March 2021, to be delivered by Foróige in collaboration with BeLonG To, and participants have now been recruited. Due to the high level of applications to participate in this programme the Department have accommodated extra places for young people.
- Live Out Loud: Celebrating LGBTI+ Youth: Plans for a biennial national event to publically celebrate LGBTI+ young people have been reconfigured to accommodate public health restrictions. These plans were developed by the LGBTI+ Youth Forum. An online celebration campaign, Live Out Loud, was launched in October 2020 to culminate in a finale event to coincide with Pride 2021. Submissions from LGBTI+ young people, as well as youth, cultural, educational and sports bodies show how LGBTI+ young people are visible, valued and included across culture, society and sport.
- LGBTI+ Welcome Sticker: The roll-out of the LGBTI+ Welcome Sticker as part of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 is being reconfigured to accommodate Covid 19 restrictions.
- LGBTI+ Youth in Ireland and across Europe: A two-phased Landscape and Research Gap Analysis was commissioned from researchers in the Health Promotion Research Centre in NUIG. The report on this research has been peer reviewed and will be published in the coming months. A policy seminars will be held to complete an LGBTI+ research needs analysis based on the research gaps identified.
In the later part of 2021 I intend to publish a Final Report on implementation of the strategy.
736. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions his Department is taking to implement the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17517/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 - 2021 provides a framework for improving the lives of LGBTI+ people by enabling their full participation in Ireland's social, economic, cultural, and political life.
My Department plays a coordinating role in the implementation and monitoring of the Strategy. In this regard, I chair a monitoring Committee that comprises representatives of government departments, key public bodies, and NGOs, particularly those representing LGBTI+ people. The Group reviews implementation of the Strategy and assesses whether or not further action is required on specific issues.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some unavoidable delays in the implementation of some actions contained in the Strategy. In light of this, I recently extended the lifetime of the Strategy for a further year until the end of 2022.
The Strategy is a living document that will be modified as needs arise. In this context, it contains a commitment to a mid-term report which will be coordinated by my Department later in 2021.
An additional key action under the Strategy for which my Department is responsible is the LGBTI+ Communities Services Fund. This commitment was delivered on in late 2020 with the provision of funding of €700,000 for community based initiatives focused on inclusion, protection of rights and the improvement of the quality of life and wellbeing. This fund will continue and details of the 2021 programme will be announced shortly.
737. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date by which the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection will make recommendations to Government following the publication of A Shadow Cast Long, the independent review report into incorrect birth registrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17553/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Independent Review into illegal birth registrations, which was published recently, concluded that it is unlikely that a more comprehensive review of records would provide clear information relating to the existence of markers or wording suggestive of markers and the degree to which they may potentially be linked to incorrect birth registrations.
Notwithstanding this, I am aware that significant concerns remain about the practice of illegal birth registrations. For that reason I have asked the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection to consider the very significant complexities and challenges, including the deep ethical issues, which arise in relation to the issue of illegal birth registrations, and to propose an appropriate course of action. The Special Rapporteur on Child Protection is due to report by 31st October 2021.
738. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider the request by an organisation (details supplied) for additional funding to support young members impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17576/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ongoing management of the organisation referred to by the Deputy is a matter for their Board, including the challenges being presented due to the recent Covid-19 restrictions.
My Department provides substantial funding to this organisation, which plays an important role in providing young people with opportunities for developmental experiences and informal learning. All of the youth funding provided by my Department has been maintained fully throughout the ongoing period of restrictions. In addition, I secured an increase in 2021 for youth services, including an increase for the organisation referred to by the Deputy. I have no plans to provide additional funding to this organisation.
My officials are in regular contact with youth sector representatives in relation to the impact of the pandemic and associated health restrictions. It is of importance that Exchequer funding to youth services nationally is protected and I am satisfied that Government has been able to continue to support them. My officials will continue to work closely with youth organisations and will actively monitor the situation. We very much appreciate the challenges COVID-19 has posed for them and continues to pose.
739. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of social workers that have left Tusla since the beginning of 2021. [17581/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
740. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students studying a professional masters of education in each year that data is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17415/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is available in the attached table. This data comes from the HEA's Student Records System (SRS) and runs from the 2014/2015 academic year to the 2019/2020 academic year, which is the latest available.
741. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to ensure that third-level students will have access to the Erasmus+ programme in the academic year 2021-2022 despite Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16344/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile Erasmus+ (2021-2028) was approved in principle in December 2020, the formal EU regulatory processes have yet to be concluded. Notwithstanding this, the Higher Education Authority (HEA), which acts as the National Agency for the Erasmus+ Higher Education programme, is expecting to announce a call for applications to all participating Higher Education Institutions shortly.
In 2021/2022, students and staff will have the opportunity to undertake a physical mobility to their chosen destination, should the circumstances surrounding international travel and the Covid-19 pandemic permit this.
In response to suggestions made to the European Commission over a number of years, shorter duration mobilities and the use of blended modes of participation are now being introduced. These measures will help widen opportunities for learning mobilities in our higher education sector. Students can also undertake a blended mobility approach, combining a period of physical mobility with a period of virtual learning. If international travel is not possible, students can do a virtual mobility for the entire duration of their Erasmus experience.
742. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta cén fáth nach bhfuil tagairt, sprioc nó beartas ar bith don Ghaeilge i Ráiteas Straitéise nó i bPlean Gníomhaíochta Straitéiseach na Roinne Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta, 2021 - 2023 a foilsíodh le déanaí, go háirithe nuair a chuirtear san áireamh an gealltanas sa Chlár Rialtais go nglacfaí cur chuige uile-Rialtais i leith chosaint agus chur chun cinn na Gaeilge; agus an bhfuil sé sásta cloí leis an gcur chuige uile-Rialtais sin agus an Ráiteas Straitéise agus an Plean Gníomhaíochta Straitéiseach a leasú le go n-áireofaí an Ghaeilge go cuimsitheach sa Ráiteas agus sa Phlean sin go luath. [16384/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra743. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason there is no reference, aim or policy for the Irish language in the Statement of Strategy or Strategic Action Plan 2021-2023 of his Department, given that there is a commitment in the programme for Government to have a whole-of-Government approach to the protection and promotion of the Irish language; and if he will adhere to this whole-of-Government approach and to amend the Statement of Strategy and Strategic Action Plan 2021-2023 to include the Irish language comprehensively as soon as possible. [16385/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTáim chun Ceisteanna Uimh. 742 agus 743 athógáil le chéile.
Is doiciméad ardleibhéil é an Ráiteas Straitéise ina leagtar béim ar spriocanna straitéiseacha don Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta. I gcomhréir leis an gcur chuige seo, ní thagraítear go sonrach do mhórchuid de ghníomhaíochtaí agus de thosaíochtaí na Roinne.
Tá an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt & Meán freagrach as cur i bhfeidhm an Phlean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 a forbraíodh faoi choimirce An Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030.
Tá an Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta tiomanta oibriú go dlúth leis an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt & Meán chun tacú leis na tionscnamh éagsúla atá mar chuid den Straitéis.
The Statement of Strategy is a high level document that sets out strategic goals for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. In line with this approach, many of the Department's activities and priorities are not specifically addressed.
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media is responsible for the implementation of the Action Plan 2018-2022 developed under the auspices of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is committed to working closely with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media to support the various initiatives that form part of the Strategy.
744. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that are available to migrant or refugee youth that are less than three years in Ireland but are availing of third-level education with particular reference to whether there are any scholarships or social welfare funds that could be accessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16512/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccess to the majority of further education and training (FET) programmes is free of charge or heavily subsidised. Learners are encouraged to contact the Adult Guidance Service in their local Education and Training Board (ETB) in relation to additional supports that may be available to them while undertaking their FET programme.
In relation to international protection applicants who have been granted permission to work, they are eligible to access FET programmes on the same basis as Irish nationals. While, access for eligible international protection applicants to the majority of FET programmes is free of charge, up to now, international fees for Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programmes of €3,600 have applied to international protection applicants with permission to work, except for those who are eligible for the Student Support Scheme. However, in March 2021, it was announced that from the start of the next academic year (2021/22), international fees for international protection applicants with their permission to work seeking access to PLC would no longer apply. The waiving of the international fee for PLCs will move further towards a level playing field and improve opportunities for people.
International protection applicants who do not have their permission to work are entitled to free access to adult literacy and English language supports.
University of Sanctuary Ireland is an Irish initiative to encourage and celebrate the good practice of universities, colleges and other education institutes welcoming refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants into their university communities and fostering a culture of welcome and inclusion for all those seeking sanctuary. Higher Education Institutions as autonomous institutions have significant discretion on the provision of supports to migrants.
Eligibility for social welfare supports is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.
745. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to instances of litigation or the threat of litigation arising from the inclusion of social clauses in public procurement contracts in each of the years 2017 to 2020. [16594/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister is not aware of any threatened or extant litigation arising from the inclusion of social clauses in public procurement contracts in each of the years from 2017 to 2020.
746. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the National Access Plan Review for third-level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16609/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPreparatory work is on-going between my Department and the Higher Education Authority on the next National Access Plan (2022 -2026). A consultation phase has commenced, and a public call for submissions will be announced shortly. The aim to have a new plan published by the end of 2021.
747. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the Mature Student Participation in Higher Education Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16610/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2020 the HEA commissioned a study on the issues and challenges associated with first-time mature student participation in higher education and to make recommendations that will support increased participation from this group. Following a competitive tender process, Indecon Economic Consultants were appointed to carry out a study which included a comprehensive stakeholder consultation process and survey of current, former and prospective mature students. Arising from this work, a report is currently being finalised which will be published in due course.
748. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the ETB will consider a request for forklift training (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16626/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, there is an obligation on employers to provide the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health, and welfare at work of his or her employees. The specific requirements for the training of lift trucks’ operators is set out in the Code of Practice - Rider-operated lift trucks: operator training (2001) and Supplementary Guidance published by the Health and Safety Authority.
Forklift training is not included in the Construction Regulations 2013 and in particular in schedule 5 which relates to SOLAS's Construction Skills Certification Scheme. There is no requirement for forklift training to be recognised by SOLAS or the ETBs for the purposes of access to education and training or a qualification.
If the Deputy could provide further details on the issue and whether the acceptability of the qualification relates to health and safety for employment within the ETB or delivery of education and training then I will have my officials investigate further.
749. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a person (details supplied) will be informed of their commencement date for level 4/7 of their apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16761/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been a 90% increase in the apprentice population since 2015. Existing off-the-job training facilities, particularly in Electrical and Plumbing apprenticeships had been coming under increasing pressure to facilitate the rapid growth in apprentice population. COVID-19 related suspension of practical training in Training Centres, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities have had a significant impact on waiting times. When permissible, practical training is also operating at approximately 50% normal capacity to ensure adherence to public health guidance.
Since January 11th face to face training has again been suspended. Education and training providers have been able to front-load remote training on theoretical aspects of apprenticeship to ensure that off-the-job training continues, albeit not in the important practical elements of apprenticeship.
A phased return to face to face training has commenced for those apprentices who were close to completion of phase 2, 4 or 6 when training was suspended in January 2021. SOLAS is providing weekly updates directly to apprentices, and employers of apprentices, who are currently assigned to these off-the-job training phases.
Scheduling dates for individual apprentices are not available at the current time, with the system focussing on supporting craft apprentices who had been assigned to off-the-job training to complete their phases. SOLAS and the HEA are working on the development of additional training capacity across education and training providers with the objective of tackling the waiting lists and ensuring that apprentices complete their training as quickly as possible once current COVID-19 restrictions allow. €20M in capital expenditure has been allocated to SOLAS and the HEA to facilitate an additional 4,000 places across the system in the coming period.
750. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the remaining sections of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 will be commenced, in particular when section 23 will commence. [16834/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra753. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the remaining sections of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 will be commenced; when section 23 will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17018/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take question Nos. 750 and 753 together.
The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 was signed into law on 23rd July 2019. While many of the provisions of the Act have been commenced, a number of Sections have yet to be. These are Sections 9, 14, 23, 25 to 33, and 38.
A considerable amount of preparatory work is required to facilitate the full implementation of the remaining Sections of the Act and it is my Department’s intention that substantial progress will be made on advancing this work in 2021. My Department is actively working with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to put in place, on a sustainable basis, the necessary resources that are required to implement these new statutory functions.
With regard to Section 23 of the Act referred to by the Deputy, the policy intention of this Section is to underpin the statutory basis for all qualifications to be included within the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and to open access to the NFQ for a wider range of awarding bodies than it has pertained to, to date. An important provision under Section 23 will be the establishment of a new class of awarding body, to be known as a Listed Awarding Body, eligible to offer qualifications that are included within the NFQ.
Many useful qualifications are currently available outside of the NFQ, including qualifications offered by professional, sectoral and international bodies. It is the intention that in the future such bodies will be able to seek, on a voluntary basis, regulated access to the NFQ. The opening up of the NFQ to a broader range of qualifications is a commitment in our National Skills Strategy, it is consistent with best practice internationally, and is a policy direction supported under EU ambition for a European Education Area and the delivery of the European Skills Agenda.
In order for this Section of the legislation to be commenced it will be necessary for QQI in the first instance to develop the policies and criteria for Listed Awarding Bodies and the Inclusion of Awards in the NFQ. This is envisaged by the end of 2021. This Section of the legislation can then be commenced following QQI's consultation on the relevant policies and criteria.
751. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if in order to make apprenticeships more attractive to industry and prospective apprentices themselves, he will consider amending the operation of apprenticeships to ensure that the relevant State agency that administer these apprenticeships secure all placements for interested parties with companies; if the State will bear all costs associated with the apprenticeships in order to make it more attractive to industry to participate and that all interested in apprenticeships need only apply to the State agency involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16871/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraApprenticeship is a work based learning opportunity. It is an employer-led offering based on a contract of employment between the apprentice and their respective employer. It incorporates a minimum of 50% on-the-job training with off-the-job training which is delivered in a number of different ways according to the apprenticeship programme. This ranges from remote or online learning to one day per week in an education institution or periods of off-the-job training (typically from 10-20 weeks) in an education and training institution at further or higher education level.
There are currently 60 different apprenticeships leading to qualifications at level 5-10 on the National Framework of Qualifications, with over 7,000 employers employing almost 20,000 apprentices. Apprentice employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices.
Many academic and vocational courses across the further and higher education and training sector also incorporate work placements, however these learners are not employees for the full duration of their course.
To find an apprenticeship, prospective apprentices can search apprenticeship vacancies on www.apprenticejobs.ie. Almost 1,000 employers have registered with www.apprenticejobs.ie which is designed to increase visibility of opportunities for all potential apprentices. For some apprenticeships, the apprenticeship consortia may run a centralised campaign for access to the apprenticeship. Work to progress towards a single portal through which learners can apply to further or higher education is at an early stage and it is envisaged that this portal will also provide increased visibility of apprenticeship and ETB provision.
The Action Plan for Apprenticeship is in development to cover the period 2021-2025. The plan will target 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per annum by 2025. It will set out a strategy for the coming five year period which will deliver an apprenticeship system which is flexible and responsive, providing a strong value proposition for employers and apprentices, is attractive and easy to engage with, and delivers high standards and sought after qualifications. Achieving this objective will include providing financial and non-financial supports to employers to support participation in apprenticeship and will also include increasing the visibility of apprenticeship job vacancies through centralised advertisement.
