John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As a democratic Government that represents the people, how can the Government not support devices such as apprenticeships that are so beneficial to citizens? It is disheartening that, as a group in society that makes up such a large proportion of the population, only 2% of participants in apprenticeships are female. There are many apprenticeship fields, but as of 24 October this year there were fewer than ten female participants. Another ostracised group that would benefit from an expansion of apprenticeships is the 1.5% of apprentices who are listed as having a disability.

Besides the issue of representation, there is also the matter of the number of people registered into specific fields. In the hospitality and food sector, for example, there were only 114 registrations by the end of September 2018, and in the field of fibre optics, there were only 32 registrations. In that area, there is a company in County Kerry called Transmission Links Ireland, TLI, that provides those 32 registrations and full employment every year. It could double or treble its output. If we are to deliver broadband, and we are arguing about contracts and signing contracts, and if we do not have the people to do the work when the contracts are signed, it is going to remain in the same place.

We need to provide greater diversity through encouraging and supporting businesses, no matter the size or field, to offer apprenticeships. We need to explore the idea of pre-apprenticeship training in schools and better promotion of apprenticeships to the public and especially excluded groups. We also need to improve the infrastructure of apprenticeships in respect of SOLAS and the establishment of apprenticeship offices. We need an improved structure in place that makes apprenticeships attractive, accessible and affordable to both employees and apprentices alike.

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