Broughan demands that Coughlan and Fás facilitate SRT apprentices
Issued : Wednesday 15 April, 2009
Labour Party Transport Spokesperson Tommy Broughan has reacted with anger to the news that the 26 senior SR Technics aviation engineering apprentices are being let go by the Zurich-based company on Friday, 17 April.
Deputy Broughan said: "This is another savage breach of faith by Corporate Affairs Director Stephanie Bennett and CEO Bernd Kessler and their Middle East master, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum.
"Six weeks ago, I appealed to Mr Kessler to bring the apprentices to Zurich to complete their training.
"Following meetings facilitated by Labour Spokesperson Willie Penrose, myself and other Labour parliamentary colleagues, it was believed that arrangements had been put in place to ensure that these young men and women being made redundant on Friday, would have been allowed to complete their college and practical training with Fás, DIT, Bolton St and SR Technics.
"The 26 young apprentices concerned are in their third year (or Phase 5 of the new Apprentice FETAC system). To graduate as aviation technicians, they need to complete a 12-week college course in DIT Bolton St and then complete their practical education at aviation engineering facilities by the late summer of 2010. They had been assured that they would be employed by the remaining SR Technics line maintenance facility up to 31 August next. The apprentices hoped that one of the buyout proposals would then be up and running and able to continue their on-the-job education. Now those hopes have been cruelly dashed.
"Thirty-four younger (second year) apprentices have already been facilitated through DIT Bolton St which is taking them back to college for six months. I believe that similar facilities should be extended to the senior apprentices while ongoing efforts are being made to rescue SR Technics aviation facility.
"I am now calling on the Director of Fás, the CEOs of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to immediately provide facilities for the 26 senior SR Technics apprentices.
"SR Technics was the main centre for aviation engineering in the State and another huge blow from the closure of SR Technics in Dublin Airport is the potential loss of one of Ireland's key industrial skills. Under no circumstances must this be allowed to happen."
