James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy. I appreciate that. In the bulk of apprenticeships, the story is one of success and progression. In an apprenticeship survey conducted recently, 90% of apprentices who qualified were in employment in that field two years later. They stuck with it. There was high stickability and the median weekly earnings were €935 two years out. If we look at a sample of rates, construction sector apprentices in year 2 were entitled to €11.50 per hour. In the mechanical contracting industry, apprentices received €13.82 in year 2, while mechanical rates were €13.36 per hour in year 2. Electrical apprentices got €11.78 as of second year, so we can see the progression there. They start on a low wage as trainees when they come into the system but they progress quickly, and by the time they come out the far side and are qualified, they are on a median weekly wage of €935 in most cases.

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