Development of
apprenticeship
in Ireland
NCGE Forum 25 May 2016
Mary-Liz Trant & James Eustace, SOLAS
September 2016
Roll out of first
tranche of
new
apprenticeships
Finance-related
High level manufacturing
and engineering
Service-related
New apprenticeships
Building on strong tradition of apprenticeship in Ireland
Enterprise-led
NFQ Levels 5-10
50%+ on the job
2-4 years in duration
All regions of the country
Review of apprenticeship in Ireland (2014)
Ireland has decided to invest in
apprenticeship mode of education and
training because it:
Ensures an enterprise-led role in the design and
assessment of flexible and responsive
apprenticeship programmes
Improves the competitiveness of companies
Opens up rewarding careers for a large segment
of the population
Ensures that learning in an education or training
institution is strongly grounded in the practical
experience of undertaking a real job
Supplies job-ready employees
Provides an ideal learning mode for those who
learn best by doing
Rethinking
apprenticeship
EU-wide
transformation and
development
To-date:
Review of apprenticeship in Ireland published Jan 2014
Apprenticeship Council formed Oct 2014
First Call for proposals Jan 2015
86 assessed by Apprenticeship Council Mar-June 2015
Minister announces first 25 for development July 2015
Consortia form, develop plans Aug-Dec 2015
Plans approved by Apprenticeship Council, development
funding awarded Dec’15-May ‘16
New apprenticeships in development Jan 2016, ongoing
Apprenticeship occupational profiles for approval by
Apprenticeship Council; validation; arrangements for statutory
status – Industrial Training Orders, consultation; Rules;
registration of employers and apprentices
May – Sept 2016, ongoing
25 apprenticeships approved for development July 2015
Accounting technician L6
Insurance practitioner L8
International Financial Services (IFS)
associate L6
IFS specialist L8
IFS advanced specialist L9
Baker L6
Butcher and fresh food retailer L6
Commis chef L6 (x2 proposals)
Sous chef L7
Chef de partie L8
Executive chef L9
Telecommunications field technician L6
Network engineer L6
Software developer L6
Manufacturing technician L7
Manufacturing engineer L8
Polymer processing engineer L7
Industrial electrical engineer L7
OEM technician L6
Craft welder L5
Advanced craft welder L6
HGV driver L5
Warehouse distribution operative L6
Travel professional L7
Development challenges ahead
Providing information and access – for potential apprentices; for
employers
Transforming status - apprenticeship valued and sought after
Creating a coherent apprenticeship system
Increasing participation of women, social inclusion goals
Embedding apprenticeship as a high-impact option for school
leavers and as part of lifelong learning
National skills strategy target of
50,000 apprenticeship and
traineeship places provided by
2020
Goal to have 100 apprenticeship
options in Ireland
Question for today:
What steps do we need to
take collectively
to establish apprenticeship
as a large-scale,
sought-after option
for skills development and
employment in Ireland?