Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Apprenticeships have an essential role to play in our economy and society on many different levels. The more I have learned about apprenticeships in the past two and a half years on the Joint Committee on Education and Skills, the more I am convinced of their value. There is no doubt they provide very structured training programmes, helping young people gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen industry. They offer a varied learning experience while allowing people to earn money. There are excellent progression opportunities within the apprenticeship schemes and a wealth of choices for young people.

Fianna Fáil has been advocating for change in the way apprenticeships are structured to make them accessible, affordable and attractive. We also need to consider parity of esteem. One gets the sense that the view is that students should be progressing to third level education as opposed to further education. We have a body of work to do around proving the attractiveness of this scheme and learning the lessons of the problems experienced in Germany. An apprenticeship is often viewed as the poor relation in terms of students going that route as opposed to going to university. I am convinced of the value of apprenticeships. The Joint Committee on Education and Skills will hold hearings with relevant stakeholders on 15 and 20 November on what can be done to increase the take up in apprenticeships by young people and older people. There are opportunities for people going into apprenticeships not directly after they leave school.

It is difficult to believe that the 2017 target for new business led apprenticeships was missed by a massive 58%. As of 30 September 2018, only 27% of the target had been reached, which is an appalling indictment. These are very disappointing statistics, exacerbated by the fact that women represent only 2% of the apprentice population. There is a lot more to do in this area.

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