Off-the-job apprentice training
Members asked about the feasibility and timing of apprentice courses in regional technical colleges, coordination with AnCO, and possible teacher redundancies. The Minister denied that his Department had ruled out the scheme or withheld necessary information, and described phased implementation with the Department responsible for educational content and AnCO for training.
asked the Minister for Education if his Department informed AnCO that it has been decided that off-the-job training of apprentices within the educational sector is not feasible except in one or two specialised areas; and, if not, if he will indicate the time-scale for the programming of one year off-the-job apprentice courses to use the new facilities being provided at the regional technical colleges in Dundalk, Galway, Sligo and Waterford.
27.
Comment on this
andMr. Wilson asked the Minister for Education if formal arrangements have been made for the co-ordination of development planning for AnCO training centres and regional technical colleges; and, if so, whether there is provision for consultation with vocational education committees.
28.
Comment on this
andMr. Wilson asked the Minister for Education why his Department decided that it was not feasible to provide places in regional technical colleges for one year-off-the-job apprentice courses except in the case of printing trades.
29.
Comment on this
andMr. Wilson asked the Minister for Education if the implementation of the AnCO one-year-off-the-job scheme for apprentices in the period 1977 to 1981 will cause redundancy among teachers of trade subjects in regional technical colleges; and, if so, to what extent.
Comment on this
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 to 29 together. My Department have not decided, or informed AnCO, to the effect suggested. The position in this matter as explained in reply to Question No. 26 on 9th February, 1977, is that it is anticipated that suitable arrangements may be made in conjunction with AnCO for the phased introduction of the scheme on the basis of the Department of Education having responsibility for the educational content and of AnCO being responsible for the training content of the programme during the first year of the apprentice course. Formal arrangements are being made for the co-ordination of development planning in these matters and provision will, of course, be made for consultation with vocational education committees. It is not anticipated that this scheme will be implemented in such a way as to cause redundancy among teachers in regional technical colleges.
Comment on this
Can the Minister state why this information came from the Department to the effect that they would not be providing the funds necessary for this type of education?