Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
151. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to encourage individuals towards careers in construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24952/22]
View answerA key government priority is to ensure that we have world-leading skills in the economy to ensure a sustainable and equitable economy in the future.
The construction sector is no exception. We recognise the changes in the sector and the response needed to support innovation in construction, and the need for targeted, collaborative and industry- focused opportunities available across all levels of the tertiary education and training system.
The Department is working with sectoral partners such as SOLAS, to increase skills supply through the current network of skills provisions available across the tertiary education system in order to tackle climate and housing issues.
We are expanding the number of apprentices we train. We are also changing the CAO to ensure school leavers are aware of all of their options after school.
Across government, several actions are being addressed to ensure that the sector can fully utilise expertise available to support the ongoing development of the sector.
Last week, myself and Minister Humphreys announced the FutureBuilding Initiative, which aims to spearhead activation and recruitment for the construction sector along with supporting the industry by significantly scaling-up in education and training opportunities. This includes commitments regarding long-standing programmes and apprenticeships and delivery of new courses. I strongly believe we need to change the narrative around careers in construction too.
There are still only 270 women craft apprentices, or 1% of the craft population. There are 5 craft apprenticeship programmes with not a single woman, and 11 craft programmes with less than 5 women. We need to move the dial.
