Written answer
Apprenticeship Programmes
SOLAS will independently review electrical apprenticeship exams, provide free September repeats and supports, exclude June attempts for referred apprentices, and operate a results hotline.
4187. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to respond to correspondence (details supplied) in relation to electrical apprentice exams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55862/26]
Comment on this
SOLAS is the state agency with responsibility for further education and training and is aware of concerns raised regarding the high failure rate of apprentices in recent Phase 4 and Phase 6 electrical theory assessments.
Both myself and Minister Harkin have been actively engaging with SOLAS, the relevant higher education institutions, and other stakeholders to assess the issues raised. Throughout these discussions, ensuring fairness, maintaining the integrity of the assessment process and supporting the welfare of apprentices have been the priority.
As part of quality improvement processes, new assessments were introduced for phases 4 and 6 of the electrical apprenticeship in term 3, 2026. These assessments were developed and quality assured through established academic processes and designed to assess the required learning outcomes.
While the Phase 4 and Phase 6 theory papers were aligned to the course curriculum, SOLAS is examining if changes in question style and format without samples of new format examination papers may have had an impact on assessment preparation for some apprentices.
In response SOLAS is taking the following steps:
1) SOLAS is commissioning an independent review of Phase 4 and Phase 6 theory assessment papers and the related marking schemes and model answers to inform next steps. The aim is to have this concluded by the end of July.
2) SOLAS will also work with higher education institutions to provide additional supports to apprentices to prepare them for repeat examination opportunities in September, supported by additional revision measures. No exam fees will be incurred by apprentices for this repeat exam. Furthermore, for apprentices who received a referral grade, the June 2026 sitting will not be counted as an assessment attempt. I understand that SOLAS was in contact with impacted apprentices with further details on the arrangements on Friday 24th July 2026.
3) SOLAS have also setup a hotline for Electrical Apprentices who have any query regarding their exam results.