AQW 9989/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 10/11/2020
Answered On Date: 24/11/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy for her assessment of whether apprenticeships in the hospitality sector can continue to provide quality skills training over the course of the winter, considering the heightened restrictions on hospitality due to COVID-19.

Answer:

Skills are a key driver of economic growth and provide a powerful tool to promote individual opportunity and social inclusion. This is especially true for apprenticeships that meet specific skills needs and provide a route into many careers across the economy, including hospitality.

In the current climate, I recognise that ensuring inclusive access to apprenticeships has never been more critical. They will play a significant contribution in providing high quality oppertunities, maintaining the skills pipeline and supporting the renewal of the Northern Ireland economy.

This is why the Apprenticeship Recovery Package has been developed to minimise apprenticeship job losses, maintain and grow the supply of apprenticeship opportunities and support apprentices who have been displaced and lost their apprenticeship. The package is bespoke to the needs of our local economy and will help to ensure that our Apprenticeship system bounces back from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

My Department also launched an Apprenticeship Challenge Fund to support innovative approaches and new collaborations to increase apprenticeship opportunities in Northern Ireland.

In relation to sustaining training, my Department has published information for employers and apprentices in respect of COVID-19. This information reflects the current guidance and is updated as the situation evolves. Going forward, updated Key Messages will be shared with the Further Education Colleges and Training Contractors delivering the ApprenticeshipsNI Programme as and when is necessary.

Apprenticeship training will continue to be delivered in line with government guidelines and, in the meantime, training suppliers have been asked to facilitate online learning and learning portfolio building work where possible.

My Department will be closely monitoring programme activity to ensure the continued delivery of the ApprenticeshipsNI programme across all sectors - including Hospitality.

Alternative assessment/awards measures for vocational qualifications have been developed in conjunction with the Department of Education, CCEA, Awarding Organisations and other key stakeholders.