Introduction• Review of Apprenticeship• Implementation Plan• Establishment of Council• Proposal Process• Evaluation Process

Review of Apprenticeship• Conducted by an Independent Review Group

Chaired by Kevin Duffy• Extensive Consultation Process• Report published in January 2014, with

Ministerial endorsement

Principal Recommendations – Key Characteristics

• Dual Training – At least 50% on the job• Level 5 and upwards on NFQ• Minimum 2 Years – Substantial in Depth• Approved Contract of Employment

Principal Recommendations – Governance• Establish an enterprise-led Apprenticeship

Council as the key advisory body on apprenticeship

• Hosted by SOLAS but with close co-operation with HEA

• Greater distribution of curriculum development and awarding arrangements

Principal Recommendations – Existing Trades• Curricula for all current trades should be

reviewed• Separate awards to be developed for each and

placed individually on NFQ • Learning outcomes and award placement to

drive decisions on entry levels and duration

Principal Recommendations – Expansion• Significant scope for expansion of apprenticeship• All new apprenticeships to be enterprise-led• Apprenticeship Council to co-ordinate a call for

proposals from consortia of employers and providers for development of new apprenticeships

• Sustainability test

Principal Recommendations – Recruitment and Progression

• Recruitment to continue to be led by approved employers, but with greater capacity planning

• Clear occupational and academic progression routes

• Progression routes to include RPL mechanisms and exemptions

Principal Recommendations – Payment• Employers to pay apprentices both on and off

the job, to the maximum extent feasible, with wage setting being a matter for individual employers

• No reduction in earnings off the job

Principal Recommendations – Promotion• Sense that apprenticeship has an ‘image

problem’• Possible sub-brands in certain sectors that

remain part of the overall apprenticeship umbrella and legal framework

• Develop a branding and promotion campaign to detail the benefits of apprenticeship and the opportunities arising

Apprenticeship Implementation Plan• Implementation Plan published on 30 June• Appoint Apprenticeship Council to develop

call for proposals from employers and providers

• Sets out comprehensive implementation arrangements in three phases to renew existing apprenticeships and develop new ones

Phase One Q3 2014 – Q1 2015• Complete review of existing trades under

existing governance arrangements• Apprenticeship Council to issue call for

proposals for the development of new apprenticeships

• Evaluated, including a sustainability test• Report to Minister

Phase Two – Q3 2015 Onwards• Develop successful proposals into

apprenticeships• Develop curriculum and awarding

arrangements• Identification of progression pathways• Determination of the apprenticeship contract• Examination of legislative implications

Phase Three – Q1 2016 Onwards• Bring together governance of existing and

new apprenticeships• Stable basis for implementing other key

recommendations (promotion strategy, RPL, master craftsman, forecasting capability, pre-apprenticeship programmes etc)

Establishment of Council• Apprenticeship Council established November

2014• Chaired by Pat O’Doherty, CEO of ESB• Membership includes state agencies,

education and training providers, business and unions

Call for Proposals• Issued in January 2015• Consortia of enterprise and education and

training partners• Key details (including the proposal form) are

available at www.apprenticeshipcouncil.ie• Deadline for receipt of proposals through the

website is 31 March

Call for proposals - evaluation processPanel - Department of Education and Skills,

Solas, HEA

Independent process auditor

Criteria underpinning selection – available to all via www.apprenticeshipcouncil.ie

5 criteria will be evaluatedEach criterion allocated 20 marks out of 100

1.Sustainable skills demand2.Learner focus3.Practical commitment to roll-out4.Readiness to enter development phase5.Cost effectiveness/VFM

Proposals will grouped into 3 categories• At an advanced stage – green light for

development funding - roll out Q4 2015/Q1 2016

• Not as advanced but with merit – green light for development funding – roll out Q3-4 2016

• Further work needed before proceeding to development stage

The following will also be considered as part of the evaluation process:

o Range of awards at different NFQ levels

o Geographical spread

o Duration

As part of the evaluation process meetings may be held with those making proposals

Outcome – planned by end June 2015

Questions