Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 1 October 2025

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Apprenticeships: Discussion

2:00 am

Mr. Ian Talbot:

That is a very good question. It is a constant challenge. We refer to things like childcare as being an issue. Any of the other witnesses should be feel free to butt in here but time is critical, particularly for small businesses. Many of the recommendations we have come up with, including, for example, the ability to share curricula and things that, are all opportunities to tell people it is not just about where the skills and resources lie but where the time to do things is available. Many things keep coming back to a combination of childcare and how far away from opportunities people might be living. That is also a challenge. Opportunities for blended and online learning, as well as using the ETBs to broaden beyond their specific remit to help for the future, are critical.

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