Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris and Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins have this week announced €17 million in capital funding to respond to the growing demand for apprenticeships in the higher education sector.
The funding will be dispersed across four technological universities and one institute of technology in the higher education sector to deliver in the order of an additional 132 apprenticeship craft training blocks.
This additional capacity is required to meet the increase in apprentice registrations as indicated by SOLAS in a number of trades.
"Today’s investment of €17 million will fund the delivery of 132 apprenticeship craft training blocks," Minister Harris said at the announcement on Monday. “This will provide additional capacity at phase 4 and phase 6 across four technological universities in our craft apprenticeships.
“The 132 apprenticeship craft training blocks announced today will support the expansion of registrations across numerous crafts including electrical, electronic security systems, pipefitting, plumbing, metal fabrication, and refrigeration and air conditioning and respond to a growing demand for learning through apprenticeship.
“This investment reaffirms once again the Government’s strong commitment to enhancing and expanding the apprenticeship system, putting apprenticeships at the centre of the education and training system by building on previous apprenticeship programme funding," the Minister continued. “But it is also critical to Government meeting our housing targets.”
The investment includes an allocation of €220,000 to ensure SETU Carlow can procure all equipment required for delivery of phase 2 and phase 4 of its aviation programme.
Minister of State Niall Collins added: “This Government has been relentless in promoting apprenticeships. To meet the demand, we must continuously invest in infrastructure. I am really pleased to see this investment being made across our TUs. It will help us grow our infrastructure and meet the demands of our growing apprenticeship population.”
Ciarán McCaffrey, head of capital programmes in the Higher Education Authority, welcomed the announcement. “The investment is key to facilitating a strong pipeline in crucial skills areas through the expansion of craft apprenticeships in trades such as electrical, plumbing, metal fabrication, refrigeration, pipefitting and electronic security systems," he said.
“The HEA looks forward to continuing to work closely with all Higher Education Institutions as they progress these necessary expansion projects.”
