Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 May 2022
161. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the target number of apprenticeship registrations for 2023; the targeted total apprenticeship population in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25073/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA 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.
Craft apprentice registrations have experienced a marked increase in interest over the past 4 years. 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. As of Monday, 16 May 2022, there have been 2,286 registrations (1,997 craft and 289 on post 2016/consortia led apprenticeships).
While interim targets are not defined, the forecast for projected growth in registrations indicates a rise from 5,000 in 2020 to 10,000 in 2025. This would have an associated incremental growth in the overall apprentice population, from approximately 20,000 in 2020 to over 30,000 by 2025.
To monitor progress against the 2025 target, annual registration and population figures have been forecasted. An approximate indicative trend has been mapped as follows - ~6,450 in 2021, ~7,500 in 2022, ~8,300 in 2023, ~9,100 in 2024, and ~10,000 in 2025 (the target year). The associated forecasted overall apprentice population figures would correspondingly be ~22,000 in 2021, ~23,000 in 2022, ~25,000 in 2023, 28,000 in 2024, and ~30,000 in 2025.
However, in terms of comparing the forecasts against the actuals, the background of Covid restrictions over 2020-21 has had a major impact. This resulted in a significant impact on registrations, as well as impacts from the closing of training centres, and the closures of the construction sector.
It is too early to tell if these figures will sustain going forward. The sector may well experience further variations and corrections on an annual basis, but the Action Plan for Apprenticeship remains focused and committed to the target of reaching 10,000 registrations per annum by 2025.
