€20m funding to expand apprenticeship provision announced

New funding announced this morning is aimed at increasing the capacity to deliver off-the-job training in craft apprenticeship across the country and for further education.

Local ministers Robert Troy, TD, and Damien English, TD, have welcomed the government announcement.

Minister of State Robert Troy TD believes the investment of €20 million in capital funding to respond to the growing demand for apprenticeships is a hugely positive step which will provide real options for those considering their future careers.

The funding will allow for a significant expansion in electrical, plumbing and carpentry places, and additional Covid-19-related capacity in electrical, plumbing, hairdressing and pipe fitting places.

Minster Troy said: “Last week’s investment of €20 million, to be provided via SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority (HEA), will fund the delivery of almost 4,000 additional craft apprentice places annually across further and higher education – helping to catch up on the lost provision in 2020, and to support the target increase of 1,450 registrations across all apprenticeships in 2021.

“This investment reaffirms the government’s strong commitment to enhancing and expanding the apprenticeship system. Access to cutting edge equipment is key to positioning apprenticeships as a valued and attractive path to sought-after qualifications. A strong pipeline of craft apprentices is also critical in sustaining the construction sector and delivering on our ambitious national infrastructure plans.”

“The government will shortly consider a new action plan for apprenticeships. It will set out new ways of structuring, funding and promoting apprenticeships, with a target of 10,000 new apprenticeship registrations per year by 2025.

“This compares with a 2019 registration figure of 6,177. We have huge ambitions in this area. As with other parts of our education and training system, the apprenticeship system experienced significant disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“By supporting additional apprenticeship places, the investment announced today will go some way towards mitigating the impacts of the pandemic, including requirements for smaller class sizes due to social distancing, and will also facilitate expansion for the longer term.”

The expansion of the national apprenticeship system has been a key government priority since 2016.

Craft apprenticeship is currently being delivered using blended learning, due to the extended Level 5 restrictions; however, a phased return to onsite training has begun in recent weeks.

The €20m will be allocated by SOLAS and the HEA across Education and Training Boards (ETBs), Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities.

€8 million national allocation for improvement works for further education and training

Minister English, TD for Meath West, is delighted to see that the Longford and Westmeath ETB have been allocated a maximum capital value of €435,000 for funding.

Under this funding programme, LWETB will be in a position to make decisions around small-scale FET investment priorities locally, and to ensure that projects can be advanced quickly and efficiently.

“This investment announced today of just over €8 million forms part of Project Ireland 2040 and will be provided via SOLAS for the delivery of small-scale and necessary infrastructure and improvement works, and for the purchase of equipment.

“The grant also allows ETBs an opportunity to consider future accommodation needs and to procure professional expertise to conduct condition surveys of existing buildings, with a view to a strategic approach to estate planning and development.”

Driven by my colleague Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the €8 million funding in further education capital grants for the country’s 16 education and training boards (ETBs) represents a 45% increase on the 2020 Devolved Capital Allocation and is a direct response to the significant needs of the sector.”

In announcing the programmes, Minister Harris said: “This funding will support ETBs in progressing their plans for further education and training, while also addressing smaller scale improvement works in the near term. It is also, I hope, a signal of intent of the importance of this sector for my new Department and a sign of the focus we intend to place on further education.

Minister English added: “For Longford and Westmeath ETB, this vital funding shows how important our government sees this sector for our future and I welcome the investment for our local Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board.”