Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1219. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that his Department is taking to address low registration levels in certain construction-related trades such as brick-laying and plastering; the apprenticeships that are being targeted in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20880/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraApprenticeships are employer-led demand-driven educational and training programmes that aim to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. As apprentices are employees, the demand for and number of apprentices is primarily dictated by the employers in any area or sector
A key objective of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 is to ensure that the apprenticeship system will increase its contribution to meeting Ireland’s skills and human capital requirements by delivering on a target of 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per annum by 2025
In 2021, a record 8,607 new apprentices were registered. This was an almost 40% increase on the figures from 2019, the last “normal” pre-pandemic year. 6,955 of these registrations were in craft apprenticeships, and of these, 5,181 were in construction and electrical apprenticeships.
The Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme, introduced in July 2020 to ensure that apprenticeship plays a key part in supporting economic recovery following Covid-19, is partly attributable for this success. Continuing this support, the new Employer Grant Scheme provides a grant of €2,000 for employers of apprentices on consortia-led programmes.
On 14th April, my Department announced a new gender-based bursary for apprenticeship employers. The bursary, which is worth €2,666, is available to employers who employ apprentices on any national apprenticeship programme with greater than 80% representation of a single gender. It is being implemented with effect from 01 January 2022, and covers all new apprentice registrations from that date on eligible national apprenticeship programmes.
There are currently 64 apprenticeship programmes on offer ranging from levels 5-10 on the National Framework of Qualifications
Among the 64 apprenticeships, construction related programmes include electrical, plumbing, carpentry and joinery, plastering, painting and decorating and the recently launched scaffolding apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are also in development in roofing and cladding (L5) and advanced quantity surveyor (L9).
As of 19 April 2022, there has been 1,810 apprenticeship registrations of which 1,597 are craft and the apprenticeship population is 23,927.
