HUNDREDS of further education students in the North of Irelan will not receive their qualifications as planned due to disrupted work placements during the Coronavirus lockdown.
Almost 900 young people across the North whose training was postponed will be affected.
Principals have also warned of potential longer-term consequences of continued disruption.
A majority of higher-level apprentices (76%) who were put on a job retention scheme have not returned to training.
Stormont’s economy committee has been told that 39% of Level Two and Level Three apprentices furloughed are still off work.
The committee heard half of all employers who had previously committed to recruiting new apprenticeships were now not in a position to do so.
Ken Webb, chief executive of the South Eastern Regional College, said there had also been a drop in apprenticeships enrolments, where employers have been confirmed.
The number of trainees with confirmed engineering apprenticeships in place has dropped by 77% compared to last year.
Confirmed electrical and mechanical placements are almost 50% down on 2019.
Mr Webb said in light of the current financial climate, companies felt they “cannot spend time training apprentices and trainees”.
“Employers are aware schemes are being developed, but they need to be able to access them now,” said Mr Webb.
“The incentives would encourage employers not just to recruit new apprentices, but to bring existing apprentices back from furlough.
“We’re concerned that without clarity around these interventions, employers will disengage.”
Economy Minister Diane Dodds told the committee that £17.2 million had been secured to support apprenticeships, and announcements on how it would be allocated would be made soon.
“We will be looking to get apprentices back from furlough and into the workplace, that firms will retain those apprentices right through to the successful completion of their actual course.
“We also want to look at incentives to provide new apprentices, because that is very important in providing career pathways for our young people.”
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