Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute and I compliment Deputy Thomas Byrne on putting forward the motion. We have to deal with the issue of apprenticeships, which are fundamental to our society. Great importance has been put on tradespeople, which was the word used in the past, and these people provided a massive service and enhanced our society.

There has been a lack of engagement by the Department and the Government to encourage apprenticeships. While the ethos within second level schools is to want third level education, there is a gap. In the past generation, many who went on to do apprenticeships have done very well in the workforce. The old saying was that those who started on the factory floor became the best managers because they went right through the system. There needs to be a discussion around people having to start on the factory floor and work their way through whatever the apprenticeship may be. Many people have gone on to build very successful businesses and livelihoods for themselves from the trades. We need to start at second level and show what types of apprenticeships are available and where there is a growth path in employment.

We need to be very careful to make sure we encourage people. Many have honed their skills at a particular craft and have gone on to be very creative and have enhanced society enormously, but we are in danger of losing that. The motion strikes at a fundamental issue, which is to encourage more men and women into apprenticeships because our society needs this as it moves forward.

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