Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
716. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he has taken to reintroduce tiling apprenticeships under the remit of SOLAS given the high demand for adequately qualified tilers in the construction industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14481/22]
View answerApprenticeship is a demand driven educational and training programme which aims to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. Consequently, the number of apprentices being registered is determined by employers in the sector.
The number of new apprenticeship registrations for wet trades, the family of apprenticeships to which this programme belongs, dropped sharply during the last economic downturn and has not recovered at the same rate as other construction trades.
Unfortunately, the tiling apprenticeship has been closed for registrations for a number of years due to these low registrations.
While there is no current apprenticeship dedicated to tiling, floor and wall tiling is included as a module in the Plastering Apprenticeship. More information in relation to this apprenticeship and the other apprenticeships that are currently available can found on www.apprenticeship.ie.
The development of new apprenticeships is employer-led and it is open to employers to work with education and training providers to develop new apprenticeships if there is sufficient demand from the sector. Again, further details can be found on www.apprenticeship.ie.
