Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations.

Apprenticeships are definitely undervalued in our education system and there is a culture that we badly need to change. I say that as somebody who has visited Dublin Institute of Technology, DIT, and the National Skills Competition, and seen at first hand the high calibre of talent there. We have a skills gap and we need a change of culture. How can we do this? Do we think effective marketing for apprenticeships and traineeships would be enough to counteract this trend, or are there other initiatives that we could take? On the demand for apprenticeships, do we have any idea of the demand that exists in the sector? We know there is a huge skills gap. I know a stakeholder mentioned that there were previously 27,000 apprenticeships at the height of the sector. How long would it take us to get back there? What do the speakers think we need to do to attract mature learners into traineeships and also the apprenticeships sector? As many speakers mentioned already, we need greater participation among females. A culture change is needed there too.

On the presentation by Mr. Dermot Carey from the Construction Industry Federation, what is the level of anticipated demand for apprenticeships in the construction sector?

Do new areas of the construction sector offer potential for developing apprenticeships? What would be a more realistic entry requirement for apprenticeships bearing in mind the importance of keeping them accessible to a broad range of people? What incentives or initiatives would it be worthwhile offering to entice subcontractors to take on apprentices? There is an element of fear involved to the extent that many subcontractors do not have enough confidence to take on apprentices. This will have to change if we more people are to enter into apprenticeships.

Reference was made to the resources available to enterprise and training boards. Will the witnesses elaborate on the level of resources required to develop apprenticeships and traineeships? How much could this area develop if appropriate resources were provided? How many apprenticeships or training places could be provided?

Reference was made also to the cost effectiveness of traineeships. Should the development of traineeships be a priority?