Mr. Michael Hourihan:

I agree completely with Mr. English. At our event in the RDS we try to allow prospective apprentices to get exposure to all the different trades, skills and options in the one place. They can talk to the education sector in respect of the education being provided for those different areas. Furthermore, they can see what is involved in each of the skill areas, which is crucial. I know plenty of people who have gone into employment - not necessarily apprenticeships, but any type of employment - with no idea what they were getting into. I am sure all present know such people. When they got into the job, they wondered what it was all about. Maybe they were delighted; maybe they were not. Everyone is entitled to be given exposure in order to allow them to make an informed decision in respect of their career going forward. That is crucial. It is what we are about at World Skills Ireland. We want any student, parent or career guidance person who is unsure about what exactly is involved to come in and see exactly what is involved in each skill area.