Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As somebody who served an apprenticeship many years ago, I know how challenging it can be. Apprenticeships are technically challenging and, after one qualifies, some of the work can be physically challenging as well. However, there is no doubt that an apprenticeship is a very good educational opportunity that provides very transferable skills. Apprentices who have done four years of training are highly valued in a job, whereas someone who graduates from third level after four years still has to go through a significant learning process. That is not to compare the two types of qualifications. Obviously, people can do an apprenticeship and then go on to third level or, alternatively, one can go to third level and do an apprenticeship after that. Some people follow either of those paths and it can work very well by giving a really good balance of practical and academic skills.

I will focus on two areas in respect of the apprenticeship programme. First, given the massive demand for skills and capacity constraints in everything we are trying to do across construction, design and every aspect of infrastructural provision, there may be soundings or ideas around shortening the duration of apprenticeships to three years or less. I am opposed to any such change. As an apprentice, one completes academic and technical components, perhaps for three months at a time, and then on-the-job training, before returning for further technical training and then going back on to the job to practise those skills. That whole four-year process cannot be rushed. People need to learn by doing. When apprentices complete their four years of training, they are sent out as tradespeople who will go on to train other people and have others learning by their work example and work ethic. We must make sure apprentices have the best training possible before they go on to be mentors or team leaders to future trainees. Therefore, I am opposed to any move to shorten, condense or simplify apprenticeships. If we want good people and to ensure we will have other good people into the future, we must take the time to train them properly.

The second aspect of the system is that we seem to concentrate on apprenticeships being something people do straight after school, at 18 years of age. Applications for apprenticeships are now included in the CAO system, which is a positive move, but it is important to emphasise that there are opportunities for mature apprentices as well. People who have worked for a number of years and have picked up a number of job and life skills may want to come back into the training system. One of the barriers to this is that the wages for apprentices can be quite low at the start, which may not be as much of a problem for younger people. Apprenticeships involve training and work, for which one gets paid, but it is a matter of working one's way up. This may be a barrier for somebody who works in an organisation and has the opportunity to do an apprenticeship. We need to ensure people in that situation maintain their current pay grade while they do the training. Provision for this would be an investment by the State in people's education and future and would facilitate the capacity-building we need to do over the coming years. Enabling mature apprenticeships is something to which consideration should be given.

This approach would fit in well with our objectives on just transition. There are jobs, industries and workplaces that will see a decrease in demand. The work just will not be there. Facilitating mature apprenticeships would allow people to transfer skills across different areas. In the case of internal combustion engine mechanics, for example, they could start transferring their skills over to electric vehicles. All of the older polluting industries will need to change or close down because there will not be the demand for their services. We need to offer people in those sectors the opportunity to do apprenticeships that will enable them to change course or upskill. There must be no financial barrier to their doing so.

It is training for their future to allow them contribute to what Ireland needs at the moment, which is greater capacity in construction, trades and across other sectors. I ask the Minister of State to consider ensuring that apprenticeships remain as four-year apprenticeships and that the training is not in any way diluted. I ask him to consider the role of mature apprenticeships to try to encourage people to get involved in that aspect of it.

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