Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 June 2025
583. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to report on the work of his Department to reform the structure of apprenticeships currently on offer. [31720/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Apprenticeship envisages the migration of craft apprenticeships into the newer consortia-led delivery model leading to an integrated apprenticeship system and I intend to bring a plan to Government on the steps to achieve this aim.
€4m in funding was provided in 2025 to support the development of the integrated system and a new quality assurance framework.
This consortia-led model of apprenticeship delivery has been in use for all of the 52 new apprenticeship programmes launched since 2016 and has proved successful in expanding the apprenticeship pathway into ICT, finance, sales & marketing, health & social care and other sectors new to apprenticeship in Ireland.
The consortia-led model is founded on a strong partnership between industry and education providers on curriculum and assessment, ensuring that programmes are both relevant to changing industry needs and kept up to date with the latest technical developments.
Paramount to the integration plan is ensuring there is no disruption of the craft apprenticeship system during the transition so that this vital flow of new talent into our construction and retrofit industries continues and indeed increases.
