Marking the first meeting of the NAA, Minister Harris said:
"We now have 64 active apprenticeships from levels 5 to 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications in sectors of the economy from construction and biopharma to hospitality and finance. And I’m delighted that we have many other programmes currently in, or proposed for, development.
The National Apprenticeship Alliance will be a key driver for this progress and will help steer the next phase of apprenticeship development under a single coherent system.
A key priority behind the formation of this alliance has been to capture the wealth of perspectives and experience of the broad range of stakeholders involved in all aspects of apprenticeship.
I believe that the strategies that we are implementing will allow us all to reach our overall objectives as a nation and as a society and I would like to thank the Chairman, Pat O’Doherty, and all the alliance members for their generosity in volunteering their time and expertise to what we all believe to be a truly worthy area of work.”
Minister Collins noted:
"We are making progress on the deliverables set out in the ‘Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021 to 2025’ with the establishment of the National Apprenticeship Office and funding for the new apprenticeship employer grant. Together with the National Apprenticeship Alliance, these structures and supports will provide strong direction for employers and prospective apprentices, so that they can see apprenticeship as a valuable proposition.
The alliance will play a pivotal role in promoting, enabling and supporting both existing and in particular potential programmes, to provide the widest scope and opportunity for all interested parties to benefit and prosper.
National Apprenticeship Alliance members