Gardaí investigate exam leaks and cheating claims in electrical apprenticeships

Solas referred concerns about cheating to An Garda Síochána last month. File picture

Gardaí are investigating claims of cheating, including leaked exam papers and exam material posted online, within craft electrical apprenticeships.

The Oireachtas committee on further and higher education heard on Thursday that Solas referred concerns about cheating to An Garda Síochána last month.

It followed a review of exams in the craft electrical apprenticeship programme, initiated after Solas was asked in 2024 to investigate claims that two exam papers had allegedly been leaked in advance of the exams.

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) also established an independent expert review team to investigate 10 specific concerns relating to the craft electrical apprenticeships.

These included concerns around exam predictability, security, marking and grading, and the effectiveness of reporting and feedback systems.

Nine of these 10 concerns were substantiated, the committee heard.

Last month, it emerged that the department for further and higher education became aware of claims that exam papers had been available for sale to apprentice electricians before a test.

More to follow...