Update: Work Place Requirements – Education and Science 20th November, 2014

Uimhir:116

Chun an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíoctha
To the Minister for Education and Science

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which the
educational skills and requirements of the work place continue to be met in
line with work place requirements; the extent to which apprenticeships remain a
feature of the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
– Bernard J. Durkan.

* For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 20th November, 2014.
Reference Number: 44744/14

Minister Jan O’Sullivan

My Department has a number of strategies and initiatives in place to ensure
that further education and training meets the skills requirements of the
workplace. SOLAS with the assistance of relevant experts such as the ESRI,
employers and local and national organisations have published a five year
strategy for the further education and training sector which provides us with a
strategic roadmap for this crucial element of the education and training
system. The strategy includes a vision of a flexible, quality-driven, labour
market-relevant, integrated and responsive sector that supports learner
progression, transitions into employment and personal development.

In addition to the 5 year Strategy, SOLAS has published a first ever integrated
Further Education and Training Services Plan for 2014 and it provides
information on the range of further education and training funded by the Irish
Government and it will set out in detail how the State’s investment in 2014
will be used by SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards to meet the skills
needs of learners and employers.

The Government recognises the importance of a modern well-functioning
apprenticeship system in meeting skills needs and supporting economic growth.
As part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs initiative my Department
undertook a review of the Irish Apprenticeship system to determine whether the
current model should be retained, adapted or replaced. The review was tasked
with taking into account the needs of both learners and industry and to ensure
that we have a value for money system that is cost effective and sustainable
into the future.

An independent Review Group undertook a substantial consultation process with
all major Stakeholders as well as inviting submissions from members of the
public. 69 written submissions were received by the review group in that
context. The report of the Independent Review Group made a number of
recommendations regarding a new structure for Apprenticeship, which is
envisaged as being relevant to a much wider group of enterprise sectors.
Recommendations were also made in relation to current apprenticeships.

Following on from the Review an Apprenticeship Implementation Plan was
published on the 30th June 2014. As part of this plan a new Apprenticeship
Council has been established. The Council is enterprise led and have
representatives from business, trade unions, further and higher education
bodies.   The first meeting of the Council took place on 18 November. The first
job of work of the new Apprenticeship Council is to make a call for proposals
from industry for new apprenticeships. This call for proposals is expected to
be made before the end of 2014.