The projected apprenticeship population in the existing trades for the years 2016 – 2018 is set out in the following table 1 provided by SOLAS. SOLAS do not currently have forecasts beyond 2018 but their Skills and Labour Market Research Unit will review and extend apprenticeship forecasts later this year.
In addition to forecast numbers in the existing trades, apprentices will also be registered on a range of new apprenticeships that will be developed under the auspices of the Apprenticeship Council. A number of these new apprenticeships will commence registration this year and further apprenticeships will come on stream in 2017 and future years. The Programme for Government commits to providing a total of 31,000 places by 2020 on existing and new apprenticeships. SOLAS and the Apprenticeship Council are preparing a 3 year plan to deliver on the Programme for Government commitments, which will include managing the pipeline of new apprenticeships already identified by the Apprenticeship Council and looking at the timing and nature of new calls for proposals.
Table 2 sets out the projected numbers in traineeship by employment sector in 2016. SOLAS do not currently have forecasts for participation in traineeship for the years 2017-2020.
Table 1 - Projected numbers in existing apprenticeships by industry sector 2016-2018
Industry Sectors
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
Construction
|
2400
|
2880
|
3456
|
Electrical
|
4200
|
5040
|
6048
|
Engineering
|
1800
|
2160
|
2592
|
Motor
|
2600
|
3120
|
3744
|
Printing & Paper
|
25
|
30
|
35
|
Total
|
11025
|
13230
|
15875
|
Table 2 - Projected numbers in traineeship by employment sector in 2016*
Traineeship Provision 2016
|
Projected
|
Animal Science
|
40
|
Built Environment
|
103
|
Business, Administration
|
887
|
Financial Services
|
32
|
Food and Beverage
|
99
|
Hairdressing, Beauty
|
388
|
Health, Family other
|
1775
|
Information
|
435
|
Manufacturing
|
61
|
Natural Resources
|
38
|
Sales and Marketing
|
207
|
Science
|
17
|
Tourism and Sport
|
267
|
Transport
|
140
|
Total
|
4489
|
* Traineeship programmes are shorter than apprenticeships and these figures include both those on courses at the start of 2016 and projected starters during the year.