Apprenticeships may be extended to other fields

Just 2.7 per cent of those who have registered for apprenticesips in the last five years have a disabiity, and only four out of every 100 who sign up are female.

Now, the public is being asked to give its views as the government sets in progress the process of developing a new action plan for apprenticeship – one which may see expansion into apprenticeships for childcare staff and health services employees.

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD and Minister of State for Further Education and Skills Niall Collins TD have this week announced the launch of the consultation process .

Said Minister Harris: “Apprenticeship is a joint effort between employers and employees where an individual can earn and learn from the employer.

“Last week, I announced a new recruitment incentive for employers where they can earn €3,000 for each apprentice they take on.

“We know our apprenticeship model needs to be revised and this consultation is the beginning of that process. We also know we need to expand the model and change people’s mind set of what an apprentice is and is not.

“The apprentice model is no longer confined to craft trades. It has expanded to the financial services sector, to ICT and accounting.

“Now we must look to expand it to where skillsets are most needed including in the area of childcare and the health service and crucially where it may be needed in the future.”

Minister Collins revealed that there are now 55 apprenticeship programmes across all sectors of the economy, in areas such as international financial services and insurance to technology and the built environment.”

In addition to the 55 apprenticeship programmes currently available, a further 23 programmes are in development to be rolled out during 2020 and beyond. Depending on the programme, apprenticeships take from 2-4 years to complete and currently cover from level 5-9 of the National Framework of Qualifications.

Further information on apprenticeship may be found at www.apprenticeship.ie