Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2024
117. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to address shortages in skills and labour force for the green economy through further education places, CPD places and apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1547/24]
View answerGreen skills are essential for achieving a low-carbon economy, and for maximising the social and economic benefits of the green transition. These skills are needed in key sectors including renewable energy and offshore wind, electric vehicles and nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEB)/retrofit.
In the area of offshore wind, my Department is working with key partners to identify skill requirements, through the establishment of an Expert Advisory Group made up of stakeholders from Government, agencies, further and higher education, research, and industry. My Department is also collaborating with Greentech Skillnet, who have undertaken a detailed offshore wind skills analysis report, funded by Skillnet Ireland. This will be launched by the end of January 2024, and will be followed by a skills action plan to address gaps and opportunities. More broadly in the area of renewable energy, Kerry ETB is the coordinating provider of the new Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship, which launched in March 2022. Direct engagement with employers has ensured that this apprenticeship was developed to meet industry demand. Qualified Wind Turbine Maintenance Technicians are in high demand. This is the first apprenticeship to provide the range of knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for this role.
In November I launched another key initiative – a programme office for the development of a new national e-mobility capability centre by Longford-Westmeath ETB in Mullingar. When operational, the centre will train people to repair the full range of electric vehicles, from cars to bikes, scooters, trucks, buses and vans. Electric vehicle skills are also being incorporated into the curricula of apprenticeships in the motor family of trades as they go through revalidation.
A third key green skills initiative progressed by my Department is for NZEB and retrofit. A national network of six NZEB Centres of Excellence is now operated by ETBs. These centres provide training and certification for learners wishing to upskill and reskill. There has been significant interest in this space, with enrolment figures for 2023 more than double those for 2022. Provisional end of year figures show there were 4,442 enrolments, compared to 2,034 in 2022. NZEB/Retrofit skills are also being incorporated into the curricula of relevant construction apprenticeships through the revalidation process.
In addition to these key sectors, my Department and its agencies are also working to develop skills for other areas of the green transition, such as through the Bioeconomy Action Plan, which aims to promote the sustainable use of biological resources, and the Biodiversity Action Plan, which aims to protect and enhance the natural environment. Moreover, the development of transversal or general green skills is also a priority, as these skills are required for all sectors and occupations in achieving a zero-carbon and sustainable green economy. To this end, SOLAS has developed a number of courses in sustainability awareness in the workplace, which are available to all learners, including a fully online course available on the eCollege platform.
