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Apprenticeship Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 October 2018

Thursday, 18 October 2018

Questions (96)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

96. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase women's participation in apprenticeship programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42084/18]

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Written answers

Currently there are 305 female apprentices registered across the 41 apprenticeship schemes currently on offer, which represents an increase of over 100% on the 2017 figure of 151 and over 400% on the 2016 figure of 60.

The 2014 Review of Apprenticeship in Ireland acknowledged that the number of women employed in craft apprenticeships is low as they operate in sectors that have traditionally low levels of female employment. SOLAS offers a bursary to employers to encourage them to employ female apprentices in these areas. Despite this the number of female apprentices in the craft apprenticeships remains low.

However, we have seen an increase in the number of female apprentices participating in many of the new apprenticeships developed as part of the expansion of apprenticeship in Ireland as these are in sectors where there would be greater gender balance in the workplace. For example, women are more strongly represented in the financial sector with women representing 43% of participants across the four apprenticeships. Women also feature more strongly in the new hospitality apprenticeships. With further new programmes to get underway in sectors that would have strong female participation in the workplace it is expected that the number of female apprentices will continue to rise year on year.

While this is welcome, it is also important to address issues influencing the low level of recruitment of women in the craft sectors. In this regard, as set out in our Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship in Ireland, SOLAS is currently reviewing the pathways to participation in apprenticeship for underrepresented groups including females. The review will result in the publication of actions in this area in the coming weeks.

Furthermore, a digital campaign to promote apprenticeship is now underway with a dedicated Twitter feed #Generation Apprenticeship, a new apprenticeship website www.apprenticeship.ie, an Apprenticeship Ireland Facebook page and a LinkedIn page. In all aspects of the digital campaign women feature prominently and there will be a specific focus on encouraging women and girls to consider apprenticeship as a means of launching or developing their careers.

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