Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, Simon Harris, and Minister of State for Skills and Further Education, Niall Collins, recently announced the roll-out of €17.2 million in capital funding to respond to the growing demand for apprenticeships.
This builds on the €20 million Apprenticeship Capital Fund investment in 2021 across both the further and higher education sectors.
The funding includes the development of two large training hubs dedicated to electrical training for the next three years; expansion of electrical, plumbing, and carpentry programmes across further and higher education; the construction of electrical workshops at Kilkenny and Carlow ETB and the development of a training facility in Donegal; a call for additional phase two capacity in craft programmes that include carpentry, plumbing, and refrigeration, and expansion of electrical apprenticeships in ATU Donegal and MTU Kerry.
“This investment is key to responding to the growth in apprenticeship numbers," Minister Harris said. "Last year, we recorded the highest number of apprenticeships ever. Over the course of the next few years, we will need to continue to adapt our infrastructure to adapt to these growing numbers.
"The investment reaffirms the Government’s strong commitment to enhancing and expanding the apprenticeship system and ensuring that access to cutting edge equipment positions apprenticeships as a valued and attractive path for people seeking third level."
It is anticipated that in excess of 15,000 apprentices will be trained in 2022, an increase of some 34 per cent on those training in 2019.
"Craft apprentice registrations have experienced a marked increase in interest over the past four years, with a record 8,607 new apprentices registered in 2021," Minister Collins said. "The support announced today will go some way towards addressing the capacity needs across the craft apprenticeships, particularly in the electrical, plumbing, and metal fabrication programmes.
"This development will benefit Government policy including the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021 – 2025, Housing for All, and the National Retrofit Plan."
The expansion of the national apprenticeship system has been a key Government priority since 2016. The €17.2 million will be allocated by SOLAS and the HEA across education and training boards, institutes of technology, and technological universities.
