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Apprenticeship - Ireland
Source: Training and Employment Authority
Apprenticeship is the recognised means by which persons are trained to become craftspersons in Ireland. The main craft trades have been designated by FÁS and come within the scope of the Statutory Apprenticeship system. Apprenticeship in Ireland is organised by FÁS in co-operation with the Department of Education and Science, employers and unions. There are about 23,000 registered apprentices in the country.
The apprenticeship scheme is "Standards-Based". To help apprentices achieve these standards, the scheme provides alternating phases of on-the-job and off-the-job training in FÁS Training Centres and Educational Colleges.
On successful completion of the Apprenticeship, apprentices receive a National Craft Certificate, recognised in Ireland as well as other EU and non-EU countries. This nationally and internationally recognised certificate will become the requirement for craftsperson status.
In the vast majority of cases, when the apprentice is released for off-the-job training he/she receives a training allowance from FÁS, rather than wages from the employer.
The curricula are based on uniform, pre-specified and industry agreed standards, and written by subject matter experts nominated by Employers, Trade Unions, FÁS and the Department of Education and Science, to ensure that the apprenticeships meets the current and future needs of Irish industry.
Through the systematic development and assessment of skills and competencies, apprentices will become more productive and reach effective worker standards more quickly. The modular structure allows for flexibility and cross-skilling as required and helps to allow for up-dating of the apprenticeships for future technological or other developments.
The employer undertakes to train the apprentice in the skills, knowledge and techniques of his or her chosen trade.
The employer’s tasks include:
The apprenticeship operates in line with the rules of the Apprenticeship system which include:
A range of support services are provided by FÁS including:
Apprentices must be at least 16 years of age and have a minimum of grade D in 5 subjects in the Junior Certificate or equivalent.
Where individuals do not meet the minimum educational requirements they may be registered as apprentices by an employer if:
Where persons with disabilities do not meet the entry requirements they may still be registered as apprentices by employers on successful completion of an approved preparatory training course for persons with disabilities and an assessment interview.
The apprenticeship has seven phases, three off-the-job and four on-the-job.
The only exception to the above is the apprenticeship in Floor/Wall Tiler which has five phases, three on-the-job and two off-the-job. The total duration of apprenticeship training is 4 years. This is subject to review by FÁS and the social partners.
On-the-Job Training
The first phase on-the-job is an introduction to apprenticeship, safety, the world of work and to the basic skills of the trade. The remaining phases of on-the-job training and development entail the practice and further development of skills learned in the off-the-job phases.
Off-the-Job Training
The total content of each off-the-job phase is delivered in a single institution to ensure integration of practical training with the necessary theory, maths, science, drawing and personal skills.
Off-the-job training introduces the apprentice to the skills and related knowledge of the trade and provides time to practice these further. Continued practice and the development of these skills is done on-the-job.
FÁS makes arrangements for the off-the-job phases of apprenticeship either in FÁS Training Centres or Educational Colleges. Release of apprentices by employers for off-the-job phases of the apprenticeship, when scheduled by FÁS, is compulsory under the statutory apprenticeship rules.
Failure by employers to release apprentices to attend the statutory off-the-job phases on two occasions will result in the apprenticeship being put on hold by FÁS. Apprentices can only re-commence when they make a written request to their Local Service to Business team, together with written confirmation that they will release/attend on the next offer.
Apprentices are assessed at a number of stages throughout the apprenticeship during both on-the-job and off-the-job phases. During on-the-job phases, apprentices’ competence is assessed in performing specified tasks under normal working conditions. During off-the-job phases, apprentices are assessed on the basis of exercises and projects together with standardised practical and theory tests. Two repeat attempts are permitted for off-the-job assessment.
Apprenticeship applies to the following trades:
*A person wishing to become an apprentice in one of the above trades marked* must pass a colour – vision test approved by FÁS.
Successful completion of the Apprenticeship is a compulsory requirement for the award of the National Craft Certificate in the trades listed above.
The Arrangements are:
During on-the-job training phases apprentices are paid the normal apprentice wage rate by the employer. In most cases such rates have been agreed between employer and union representatives and vary according to the year of apprenticeship
FÁS is committed to promoting equality of opportunity in the workplace. Through its action programme for women – Women in Focus, FÁS provides opportunities for women to broaden their career options into new and non-traditional areas of work.
To promote the entry of women into the designated apprenticeships, FÁS offers a bursary to employers to encourage an increased level of recruitment of women apprentices.
The bursary provides a total grant of £2,100 to each employer for each female apprentice recruited. The grant is a contribution towards wage and other apprentice costs over the first 28 weeks of phases 1 and 3 (on-the-job phases) of the apprenticeship.
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