EMPLOYMENT and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey yesterday announced an action plan outlining arrangements for apprentices facing redundancy to complete their training.
Speaking in the Assembly after it emerged that 230 apprentices attending further education colleges have been laid off in the past year, Sir Reg announced that apprentices working in the priority skills areas of construction, engineering and motor ve
hicle industry will be able to complete professional and technical training – even if they have been made redundant.
Apprenticeships NI is the Department for Employment and Learning’s apprenticeship provision, under which apprentices are in employment.
However, the economic climate has increased the pressures on business making it harder for employers in some sectors to keep their apprentices on.
“We need to ensure continuous professional and technical training so that employers are in a better position to strike when the iron becomes hot again,” Sir Reg said.
He said his department was engaged with the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils and other relevant employer bodies to encourage alternative employers to take on any apprentices who have been made redundant.
Sir Reg said DEL was also prepared to contribute some conditional funding towards any additional wage costs.
Under the plan, apprentices who are 18 or over and in the three main priority skills areas will be able to finish training under the Steps to Work programme.
Training for apprentices under 18 can be continued under the pre-apprenticeship component of Training for Success.
Sir Reg said it was hoped to have arrangements in place by December.
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