Project Officer - Apprenticeship Statistics, National …, Dublin

SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority of Ireland, was established on 27 October 2013 and its mission is to fund, co-ordinate and monitor a range of Further Education and Training (FET) provisions that is responsive to the needs of learners and employers. It is an agency of the recently formed Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. SOLAS works in close collaboration with Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across Ireland on provision of high-quality further education and training, equipping learners with relevant skills and knowledge, and providing a pipeline of talent into employment and to the Irish economy and society. At SOLAS, we put the learner, employers and communities, which FET serves, at the heart of everything we do. Working with sister agencies, SOLAS leads actions in key policy and strategy documents including the most recent Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020 2024, the evaluation of the Greenskills Strategy , the National Skills Strategy 2025 and the People Strategy 2020-2024 and others. The National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) wishes to recruit a Project Officer for apprenticeship statistics. They will delivery on actions related to data analysis and sharing, enhancing the quality and availability of data, building the survey capability and output of the NAO, enhancing relationships with key stakeholders, and supporting redevelopment of the ACSS as part of a single integrated apprenticeship system. The person appointed will liaise with the data analysis, digital and IT teams in SOLAS and HEA and with the data and statistics strategies being implemented by both organisations, including the planned publication schemes. A key aspect of this role is to coordinate responses from the NAO to parliamentary questions and representations that are made to us through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The person appointed will be the first point of contact in the NAO for these queries. They will be responsible for liaising with other staff members within the NAO to craft and progress responses often working to tight deadlines. They will maintain a file of responses to queries and have responsibility for continuously improving service delivery in this area. The Project Officer will: Compile and analyse statistical information from the Apprenticeship Client Services System (ACSS) which profile key outputs and outcomes Coordinate responses to parliamentary questions and representations in collaboration with other members of the team and in a timely manner. Maintain a file of responses to parliamentary questions and representations Regularly review and enhance the approach to addressing parliamentary questions and representations Co-ordinate publication of a range of apprenticeship statistics to support the work of the National Apprenticeship Office and key stakeholders, including employers and education and training providers Collaborate closely with internal teams in the NAO to conduct data and statistical analysis and develop high quality operational data reports for apprenticeship monitoring and planning. Prepare and present reports findings to NAO management, SOLAS management, DFHERIS, National Apprenticeship Alliance and the National Apprenticeship Advisory Council. Prepare and transfer data to collaborating providers where necessary. Carryout monitoring of the Apprenticeship Client Services System (ACSS) to identify improvements and inaccuracies and ensure that any issues are resolved. Represent SOLAS on internal and external working groups and committees. Link and validate data with other relevant administrative datasets, including from engagement with the Central Statistics Office (CSO), in areas that include the socio-economic profile of Irish apprentices, labour market outcomes for the apprentice population, and the economic profile of apprenticeship employers. Work with key stakeholders to enhance the quality of data held on the ACSS, including on data entry practices, data protection and data sharing arrangements Design, co-ordinate and analyse periodic surveys of apprentices, apprentice employers and other key stakeholders. Support the development of a new database for apprenticeship data in liaison with the apprenticeship teams across the HEA and SOLAS Lead and facilitate meeting with internal units (IT) to progress priority work, resolve issues and ensure timelines/deadlines are adhered to Supervise staff assigned by management Any other duties deemed appropriate for the position by the Director of the National Apprenticeship Office Requirements A relevant qualification in a quantitative field such as statistics, economics, mathematics, or social science with a significant quantitative element and/or equivalent demonstrated experience Experience of Microsoft Suite (Word, Access, Excel, and PowerPoint) Strong knowledge of statistical information gathering and analysis Knowledge of database management and development are essential Expertise in statistical analysis and/or data visualisation software such as Tableau, Stata, Power BI, MSSQL Experience working with large administrative microdata sets Experience of survey data collection and analysis Experience in establishing and operating information systems Familiarity with the education and training system in Ireland and/or abroad Strong written, verbal, communication and presentation skills Strong organisational and time management skills Strong collaboration skills and demonstrated ability to work across functions and grades Good judgement and analytical skills Minimum of 2 years experience working in a data role, preferably in the tertiary education and training field This is a permanent position for which the salary scale ranges from€47,165 to €74,718 per annum (inclusive of two long service increments) for a 35-hour week. Starting pay will be at the minimum point of the scale as per Government Circular E100/8/82. Exceptional circumstances may apply for candidates with current service in the Civil/Public service. SOLAS offers an excellent benefit package including a contributory pension scheme and the opportunity for further training and development. To apply for this position please use the SOLAS Application Form which can be found on the SOLAS Careers page. You must download and complete the application form. This application form must be submitted via email quoting reference number 588, by 12.00pm, noon,Monday, 15 June2026. CVs will not be accepted. SOLAS, Castleforbes Road, Dublin 1 D01 A8N0 is the base location for this post. A Blended Working policy is in place, and an arrangement is available to request with this role, a minimum requirement of 2 days per week in the office (Castleforbes House, Dublin 1). One of the days being the SOLAS Anchor Day - Wednesday. Please note that as a public sector employee, you must reside in the Irish jurisdiction to avail of blended working, and in accordance with Department Public Expenditure and Reform (DPENDR) requirements, you must be available to attend in person when required. The use of AI throughout your recruitment process is limited. To understand more, see the SOLAS Careers page for details. SOLAS is an equal opportunity employer. SOLAS welcomes people with diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to apply. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please reach out to us via the SOLAS website. Benefits: Paid Holidays Work Life Balance Employee Assistance Programme TravelPass Scheme CycleToWork Scheme Health and Wellbeing InitiativesTPBN1_IJ