Plan for the Transfer of Curriculum Development, Assessment and Awarding for Craft Apprenticeship to Providers

Posted: 30 June, 2026

Strengthening craft apprenticeships is a key objective under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship. It reflects the critical role that craft apprenticeships play in supporting Ireland’s national infrastructure targets and meeting current and future skills needs. Quality assurance is the foundation of our education and training system. It ensures that programmes remain aligned with industry needs, uphold academic standards and integrity, and deliver meaningful outcomes that are trusted by learners, employers and society more broadly. To strengthen quality, in October 2025, Minister Lawless directed that responsibility for craft curriculum development, assessment and awarding should transfer from SOLAS and Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to education providers and requested that a priority plan be put in place. The Minister asked that this plan establish clear governance, oversight, timelines and risk mitigation arrangements to support a well managed transition. The Craft Transfer Plan responds to this request. It is also informed by the 2025 QQI statutory review of quality assurance arrangements for craft apprenticeships. That review provided valuable system level insight and identified opportunities to strengthen quality assurance across the apprenticeship system. The transfer builds on the expertise that already exists across the tertiary education system and is designed to ensure that responsibility for craft curriculum, assessment and awarding sits with the most appropriate education providers, while maintaining the integrity and consistency of the national apprenticeship system.

The Craft Transfer Plan is being jointly progressed by DFHERIS, SOLAS, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and QQI, working closely with Further Education and Training (FET) and Higher Education (HE) providers. This collaborative approach is intended to ensure continuity for apprentices and employers, clarity of roles and responsibilities, and a strong, trusted quality framework that supports craft apprenticeships now and into the future. How the project will be delivered A high‑level Craft Transfer Plan was submitted to Minister Lawless in November 2025 and approved in January 2026. Since then, DFHERIS, SOLAS, HEA, QQI and education providers have been working together to develop a detailed implementation plan. Delivery of the project is being supported through dedicated governance structures, including a Steering Committee and provider‑led alliances, alongside FET and HE project implementation teams. This phased approach is designed to ensure continuity for apprentices and employers throughout the transition period. The timeline for the delivery of this transfer is Q4 2027

Plan for the Transfer of Curriculum Development, Assessment & Awarding for Craft Apprenticeship - PID