Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
148. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how many students have started on the new farming apprenticeship in a school (details supplied) respectively; how his Department plans to increase places on apprenticeship programmes such as this moving forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45551/23]
View answerThe ‘Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025’ sets out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to make apprenticeship more accessible to employers and learners. Expansion to date has widened the impact of apprenticeship to areas of skills shortage such as agriculture, engineering, technology skills, logistics, and fintech. It will also support skills development in key areas, especially in construction skills, and assist with achieving delivery of Government commitments on Housing for All, and the Climate Action Plan.
2021 figures showed 8,607 registrations – an increase of 40% on figures for 2019 (the last full pre-Covid year). 2022 saw 8,286 registrations and a population of over 26,000, and this strong growth in apprentice registrations is continuing into 2023, with over 6,000 registrations by end-September. The population is currently over 26,200 apprentices.
The Agriculture and Horticulture sector is a thriving area of expansion in apprenticeships. Arboriculture has been available since 2020, joined in May this year by Sportsturf Management. In August, I announced the launch of three additional apprenticeships – Farm Manager, Farm Technician, and Horticulture. In the pipeline, there is also an apprenticeship in Stud Farm Management in development.
In terms of the roll out of the current programmes, I can advise the following latest updates:
• The registration process for both the Farm Technician and the Farm Manager programme is still in progress for some employers and apprentices.
• The first block release date for the Farm Manager Apprenticeship will be 4 December. The Farm Manager Apprenticeship is being co-ordinated by Teagasc Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny.
• Dates are to be confirmed for the Farm Technician first block release. This apprenticeship will be coordinated from Teagasc Clonakilty College, Co. Cork.
• Meanwhile, the Horticulture Apprenticeship is being coordinated by Teagasc - National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin; the Sportsturf Management Apprenticeship is being coordinated by Teagasc Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny; and the Arboriculture Apprenticeship is coordinated by the Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board.
The ambitious target of 10,000 new apprentice registrations per annum by 2025 underlines this Government’s commitment to reforming the position of apprenticeship in the wider education and training sector.
The Government aims to significantly increase the footprint of apprenticeship within the education landscape, ensuring that apprenticeships are open and accessible and are seen as a viable and exciting path to skills and a qualification.
