A total of 7,164 apprentices have been made redundant since 2008, according to figures released to Cork East Fine Gael TD David Stanton.
The Department of Education figures reveal that despite a number of FÁS initiatives, many of these young people will not be able to complete their apprenticeships.
“The figures are staggering. They show clearly just how severely our economic difficulties are affecting younger people. In 2008, 2,481 apprentices were made redundant. A further 3,791 in 2009 and 892 more have been let go already this year. Many apprentices have also been put on short-time which is hampering the completion of their training.
“The end of the construction boom has left these young people in limbo. As they have no formal certification or qualification, the skills they have learned to date cannot be recognised within the construction industry. I am pleased that arrangements have been made with various Institutes of Technology to complete the off the job training parts of apprenticeships. However, once these training phases have been completed, on-the-job training and assessment with an employer is required.
“In 2009, FÁS introduced a temporary Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme to provide on-the-job placements with employers. This scheme is due to be replaced by a new Redundant Apprentices Placement Scheme in 2010 – but this has not happened yet. The reality is that aside from FÁS schemes, practical training is very, very hart be able to complete their apprenticeships.
“The figures are staggering. They show clearly just how severely our economic difficulties are affecting younger people. In 2008, 2,481 apprentices were made redundant. A further 3,791 in 2009 and 892 more have been let go already this year. Many apprentices have also been put on short-time which is hampering the completion of their training.
“The end of the construction boom has left these young people in limbo. As they have no formal certification or qualification, the skills they have learned to date cannot be recognised within the construction industry. I am pleased that arrangements have been made with various Institutes of Technology to complete the off the job training parts of apprenticeships. However, once these training phases have been completed, on-the-job training and assessment with an employer is required.
“In 2009, FÁS introduced a temporary Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme to provide on-the-job placements with employers. This scheme is due to be replaced by a new Redundant Apprentices Placement Scheme in 2010 – but this has not happened yet. The reality is that aside from FÁS schemes, practical training is very, very hard to find as many employers have ceased to trade.
“Judging by what I am hearing from constituents, it seems that on-the-job training is particularly hard to source for apprentices who are nearing the end of their apprenticeship. I have been advised that 266 apprentices have been registered for four years, have completed all phases of their apprenticeships but have not completed the full four years in employment. They have the opportunity to apply for an Advanced Craft Certificate without having the full work experience. To date just 216 of these apprentices have been contacted by FÁS to submit a portfolio. Of the 44 who have been considered for this Certificate, just 26 have been approved to date.
“More needs to be done to support redundant apprentices. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate now stands at 13.9% compared to 11.6% at this time last year. Young people are being hit especially hard with 21% of those unemployed aged under 25 years. The completion of apprenticeships is essential for these 7,164 young people who are to be in with a chance of viable employment in the future either here or abroad.”
Ends
Contact: Nick Miller 01 6183358 / 086 6992080
Uimhir:19,29
To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 9 March 2010, the number of apprentices who were made redundant in 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 respectively; the number who are receiving off or on the job training; the number currently awaiting employment placements; if the new redundant apprentice placement scheme 2010 which was due to replace the temporary employer based redundant apprentice rotation scheme in operation since 2009 has been introduced by FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton.
To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 9 March 2010 the number of redundant apprentices who have been registered for four years, have completed phases 1-7 of their apprenticeships but not the required four years in employment as an apprentice in their specified trade and are currently registered with FÁS awaiting completion of their apprenticeship; the number who have been contacted by FÁS to submit a portfolio of evidence under recognition of prior learning;
the number of these who have been considered for and awarded an Advanced Craft Certificate by the National Apprenticeship Advisory Sub-Committee; the number who have been awarded this certificate to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. -David Stanton.
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 3rd June, 2010. Reference Number: 21699/10, 21700/10
Freagra
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan
I propose to take questions 19 and 29 together.
The number of apprentices made redundant in 2008 was 2,481, the number in 2009 was 3,791 and to date in 2010 the number is 892. In total there are 7,164 redundant apprentices of whom almost 4,500 are eligible for FAS initiatives when taking into account those who have not successfully completed training assessment exams to date. A wide range of measures has been initiated through FAS to support over 4,600 redundant apprentices to progress their apprenticeships in 2010. These are in addition to measures which in 2009 supported over 3,200 redundant apprentices.
The following measures have been initiated by FAS to support redundant apprentices:
1. FÁS has put in place an interim measure whereby redundant apprentices may progress to the next off-the-job training phase of their apprenticeship, in line with current scheduling criteria. In 2009, over 2,400 redundant apprentices were provided with off-the-job training. To date in 2010, 2,523 redundant apprentices commenced off-the-job training and of these 1,251 have completed phase 4 and phase 6 off-the-job training in the Institutes of Technology and Colleges of Further Education.
2. FÁS in 2009 introduced a temporary Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme for apprentices made redundant in the Construction Industry whereby the vacancy arising from the release of the employed apprentice to a scheduled phase 4 and phase 6 off-the-job training phase was filled by a redundant apprentice who thereby gained on-the-job training. Over 460 redundant apprentices completed Phase 3, 5 and 7 on-the-job training and assessments with employers under this Scheme in 2009. The Redundant Apprentices Placement Scheme is to replace the Rotation Scheme for 2010. The scheme with an
allocation for 2010 of almost €4m will provide up to 750 apprentices with the opportunity to complete their on-the-job training at Phases 3 and 5 with the support of employers with a proven past record of providing consistent systematic training.
3. A joint ESB Networks / FÁS programme commenced in March 2009 where on-the-job training with ESB Networks is provided to eligible redundant apprentices at Phases 5 and 7 of their apprenticeship. This programme will provide up to 400 places over a period of 18 months and is funded by ESB Networks. To date 236 (104 Phase 5 and 132 Phase 7) redundant apprentices have completed training, 99 (53 Phase 5 and 46 Phase 7) are currently in training and a further 65 Phase 7 redundant apprentices will commence in July 2010
4. FÁS and the Institutes of Technology have agreed the PP5 programme for redundant apprentices who have successfully completed Phases 1 – 4 of their apprenticeship and where an on or off-the-job training opportunity is not currently available. The programme has both a Construction Stream and an Engineering Stream, with a number of core skills modules related to apprenticeship and a number of electives in specific skills. The programme provides apprentices with a Level 5 FETAC award and allows for access and transfer of credits to other post-apprenticeship programmes. The Institutes of Technology are currently providing training to eligible redundant apprentices who responded to invitations issued in January 2010.
5. FÁS has also developed Phase 7-equivalent assessments for redundant apprentices at the final phase of their apprenticeship in the trades of Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical, Plumbing, Brick & Stonelaying and Plastering. To date, 39 redundant apprentices have completed assessments, 30 are currently
undertaking assessment, and FÁS is inviting a further 351 to undertake Phase 7 assessments
6. Redundant apprentices registered for 4 years who have successfully completed all Phases 1-7 of their apprenticeship, but have not yet completed the required 4 years in employment as an apprentice in the specified trade, will be contacted by FÁS to submit a portfolio of evidence under Recognition of Prior
Learning for consideration by the National Apprenticeship Advisory Sub-Committee for the award of the Advanced Craft Certificate.
7. Redundant apprentices may also avail of existing trade-related specific skills training courses to enhance their employable skills. They may also avail of the range of trade-related evening courses available in FÁS Training Centres.
8. Under the EU Leonardo da Vinci III Lifelong Learning Programme, Leargas in collaboration with FÁS, has supported 45 a apprentices to date to complete their
final on-the-job work placement in companies abroad. 36 redundant apprentices
are scheduled for on-the-job work placements by the end of 2010 and a further
15 during the first half of 2011.
In relation to the Deputy’s more specific queries I am informed by FAS that: –
• the number of apprentices registered for 4 years with Phases 1 – 7 completed is 266;
• 216 apprentices have been contacted by FAS to submit a portfolio of evidence under recognition of prior learning;
• 44 apprentices have been considered for the Advanced Craft Certificate by the National Apprentice Advisory Sub-Committee with 26 being approved.
