Ireland Published the Craft Apprenticeship Curriculum, Assessment and Awarding Transfer Plan (Ireland, June 2026)
The Higher Education Authority published the plan for transferring craft apprenticeship curriculum development, assessment and awarding responsibilities to education providers. The transfer is being jointly progressed by DFHERIS, SOLAS, HEA and QQI with providers.
The Higher Education Authority published the plan for transferring craft apprenticeship curriculum development, assessment and awarding responsibilities to education providers. The transfer is being jointly progressed by DFHERIS, SOLAS, HEA and QQI with providers.
What Changed?
Responsibility for craft curriculum development, assessment and awarding is moving from SOLAS and QQI toward education providers under a structured transfer plan with governance, oversight, timeline and risk mitigation arrangements. The delivery timeline is Q4 2027.
Old System vs New System
SOLAS and QQI held central responsibility for craft curriculum development, assessment and awarding arrangements under the existing apprenticeship quality system.
Provider-led arrangements will take on these responsibilities through a phased transition, while national bodies retain governance, quality assurance and coordination roles to protect continuity for apprentices and employers.
Who Is Affected?
Student Impact
Apprentices should experience continuity during the transition, with the long-term goal of clearer provider responsibility and stronger quality assurance alignment.
Parent / Family Impact
Families of prospective apprentices may see a more provider-centred apprenticeship system, though immediate course participation should continue during the transition.
School / Institution Impact
Post-primary guidance teams and FET links should monitor apprenticeship system changes when advising learners about craft pathways.
Teacher / Staff Impact
Teachers in schools are indirectly affected through guidance advice, while FET and HE provider staff may take on expanded curriculum, assessment or awarding responsibilities.
Key Dates
- 2025-10: Minister directed the transfer priority
- 2026-01: high-level plan approved
- 2026-06-30: plan published
- Q4 2027: transfer delivery timeline.
What To Do
- Providers should follow HEA and DFHERIS implementation structures
- while learners and employers should monitor official apprenticeship communications for transition details.
What To Watch Next
Watch the detailed implementation plan, provider-led alliances, risk controls, QQI quality assurance decisions and the Q4 2027 delivery milestone.
Global Context
The reform is significant for international readers because it changes who controls curriculum and awarding in a national craft apprenticeship system, a core governance question in vocational education.
Source Record
Source type: Public notice
Source name: Higher Education Authority - Plan for the Transfer of Curriculum Development, Assessment and Awarding for Craft Apprenticeship to Providers