Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 May 2024
301. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he and his Department have identified particular requirements in terms of apprenticeships or higher qualifications in education throughout the country to meet such requirements in the short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23495/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraApprenticeship
By the end of May this year there will be 75 national apprenticeships available, between NFQ levels 5 and 10. This is up from 53 national programmes in 2019, representing a very big increase in choice for learners and employers alike.
Adding to 25 traditional craft programmes, consortia-led apprenticeships were developed from 2016 onwards to which respond to emerging skills shortages, and are providing employment, career development and a pathway to a recognised qualification for apprentices across some 50 occupations. This model has grown significantly with registrations rising by 134% from 2019 to 2023.
These are now apprenticeships across Construction, Engineering, Healthcare, ICT, Accounting and Finance, and Beauty to name a few sectors.
A new NFQ Level 9 apprenticeship in Social Work is being launched in May 2024, and a new NFQ Level 9 apprenticeship in Software Solutions Architect is planned to go live in May 2024.
There are a further 14 apprenticeships in development for launch in the next 12 months.
Details on the programmes available, and how to apply, can be found at apprenticeship.ie.
Joint Tertiary Programmes
In December 2022, the establishment of a new National Tertiary Office (NTO) was announced, to support the development of new tertiary degree programmes which would allow learners to progress in a clear, seamless manner between further and higher education.
These programmes, which commenced in September 2023, allow students to commence their degree programme in a further education setting and then, provided they meet the relevant academic standards, progress seamlessly onwards to complete the degree in a higher education setting.
These degrees do not use CAO points as an entry mechanism and have tailored entry requirements to ensure that potential learners are a good fit for the programme they are looking to undertake. Students of tertiary degrees are, from day one, registered at both an ETB and partnered HEI giving them access to the small group learning and peer support of further education while also have access to higher education campus facilities and academic, health and wellbeing supports. No tuition fee or student contribution fee applies for the duration of the tuition delivered in the further education setting and, if they are entitled to the Student Grant, the higher education rate of the grant is paid for the duration of the course.
Additional tertiary programmes will be available from this September including nursing and social work programmes.
Details on the programmes available, and how to apply, can be found at www.nto.ie.
