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

Ireland has lagged well behind other European countries during the years in both the scale and the diversity of apprenticeships available. We have seen that we fell short of last year's target by 58%, while in September we were only about one third of the way to this year's target. Apprenticeships are not seen as a viable or attractive option. Across Europe there is much more emphasis placed on the importance of apprenticeships and vocational training. There is also greater variety and apprenticeships seem to have much greater standing. There is a need to place more emphasis on them in Ireland. We also need to broaden the range of options available. For example, there are spaces in fibre-optics, journalism, digital media and so many others. The list is unlimited. There are companies that operate in various countries around the world that might, for example, offer apprenticeships in business management or computer science. They are operating here and do not have that option available to them. It would be worthwhile for the Minister of State and his departmental officials to meet them to see if there are ways by which those industry-led apprenticeships would also be available in Ireland. The value of apprenticeships needs to be promoted by the Government in public as a worthwhile training development option.

Another point which has been well made concerns the number of women involved in apprenticeships. At 2%, it is very low. It contrasts with the figure for the United Kingdom, where last year 54% of those who started an apprenticeship were women. This is not an isolated incident because every year since 2011 more women have been taking on apprenticeships in England than men. Clearly, the same can be achieved in Ireland. There is a need for a change of attitude and perception and a broadening of the options available to those seeking apprenticeships.

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