Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1319. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details in relation to the status on all the 17 new apprenticeship programmes to be delivered in 2022, including commencement dates, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43049/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of new apprenticeship programmes is intended to help deliver on the commitments made under the Programme for Government to support and drive the economy, while addressing the skills requirements identified across society.
Apprenticeship programmes are employer-led. Approval for programme development transferred from the Apprenticeship Council to the new National Apprenticeship Alliance, which held its first meeting in March of this year.
The development of new apprenticeships is undertaken in accordance with published criteria and led by apprenticeship consortia comprising of employers, education and training providers and sectoral representatives. Timing and progress on the development of new apprenticeships is therefore generally under the control of the individual apprenticeship consortium and progress through the national qualification quality assurance processes (QQI).
There are currently 66 apprenticeship programmes on offer: 25 craft programmes and 41 programmes introduced since 2016. Eight new programmes were launched over 2020 and 2021, despite the pandemic; Arboriculture, Equipment Systems Engineer, Healthcare Assistant, Principal Engineer – Professional Doctorate, Recruitment Executive, Sales, Scaffolding, Supply Chain Associate.
In December 2021 I announced 17 new apprenticeship programmes that would be developed during 2022.
In recent months, 4 of those 17 programmes have been already been launched: Bar Manager, Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician, Transport Operations & Commercial Driving and Cybersecurity Practitioner.
Such is the dynamic nature of apprenticeship programme development, a number of additional programmes have since been added to the list. Full details of all those apprenticeships currently under development along with estimated commencement dates are in the table.
Apprenticeship programmes in-development
|
Apprenticeship Title |
NFQ Level |
Co-ordinating Provider |
Estimated Launch Date |
|
AGRICULTURE |
|||
|
1. Farm Manager |
L7 |
Teagasc |
Q4 2022 |
|
2. Farm Technician |
L6 |
Teagasc |
Q4 2022 |
|
3. Sports turf Management |
L6 |
Teagasc |
Q3 2022 |
|
CONSTRUCTION |
|||
|
4. Advanced Quantity Surveyor |
L9 |
Technological University of the Shannon |
Q4 2022 |
|
5. Roofing and Cladding |
L5 |
City of Dublin ETB |
Aug 2023 |
|
ENGINEERING |
|||
|
6. Civil Engineering |
L6 |
ATU Sligo |
TBD |
|
7. Civil Engineering |
L7 |
ATU Sligo |
TBD |
|
8. Manufacturing Data Integration Engineer |
L7 |
Technological University of the Shannon |
TBD |
|
9. Precision Machinist and Quality Control |
L6 |
Technological University of the Shannon |
Q3 2022 |
|
10. Robotics and Automation |
L6 |
Louth and Meath ETB |
TBD |
|
EQUINE |
|||
|
11. Stud Farm Assistant Management |
L7 |
Teagasc |
TBC |
|
FINANCE |
|||
|
12. International Financial Services Advanced Specialist |
L9 |
National College of Ireland |
TBC – On Hold |
|
HORTICULTURE |
|||
|
13. Horticulture |
L6 |
Teagasc |
Q4 2022 |
|
HOSPITALITY & FOOD |
|||
|
14. Executive Chef |
L9 |
Munster Technological University |
TBD |
|
ICT |
|||
|
15. Digital Marketing and Media |
L6 |
Proposed by RDI Hub and Buymedia |
TBC |
|
16. Immersive Technology |
L6 |
Proposed by Mersus Technologies |
TBC |
|
17. Software Solutions Architect |
L9 |
Munster Technological University |
TBC |
