Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter. It focuses not exclusively on general apprenticeships but on cross-Border apprenticeships. This follows on from someone in Queen’s University Belfast, QUB, sending me a copy of a speech delivered in that university by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris. It was an impressive speech, which I acknowledge. The speech was given in the context of the one island approach, which is something the Government has promoted. The policy is being driven by the Taoiseach and he is very committed to it.

This issue centres on how we can use cross-Border connectivity and synergies and relationships in respect of developing an apprenticeship programme that spans the two jurisdictions. I acknowledge the enormous work that went into the apprenticeship action plan drawn up by the Minister. When he puts his mind to anything, he is driven, committed and determined. I acknowledge that as well. In all his announcements in this context since, and particularly in his speech in QUB, he has talked about his ambition to create an additional 10,000 new apprenticeship places every year up to 2025.

I was particularly interested in his reference, and I am particularly interested in hearing more about this detail if it is not available today, to a new funding call under the PEACE PLUS programme to do with collaboration for cross-Border apprenticeships. He is committed to doing this and to sourcing the funding for this programme. There is great potential for this type of programme. We must work together and encourage apprenticeships. I am old enough to remember when people left the tech with a group certificate and other people laughed at them. Those people with the group certificate went on, walked around and met construction workers, tilers, electricians, plasterers and stonemasons to beg for an apprenticeship, or to serve their time with them, as it was then called. Indeed, apprentices then did not get very much money. Most of them, however, went on to be successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople in the construction sector. Therefore, I value and respect apprenticeships. We learn at different levels. We are not all academic and we can also learn through a hands-on approach on-site, be that in stonemasonry, construction, glazing or whatever. A noble way to learn a trade and a profession is to serve time with a master of a craft. It enables people to have a craft and a skill that they can use to bring in an income for themselves and their family. Equally, it allows people to contribute to meeting a need.

In that regard, we are aware that we have a real issue with a shortage of construction workers and, therefore, I wish to examine the issues relating to work-based learning on-site. We all acknowledge its importance. I also wish to have a greater focus placed on supporting apprenticeships, as well as on providing greater support for employers in this context and on how we can match apprenticeships with employers. More important, however, is the question of how we can address the current shortage of skills, particularly in the construction sector and, specifically, in retrofitting. We need apprenticeships in these areas now. It is all good news in respect of the apprenticeship programme for the Government. The PEACE PLUS initiative for cross-Border collaboration on apprenticeships, North and South, is exciting. This is how we have to build relationships between the North and South. We must find common needs and common issues and work with them. I do not doubt the Minister’s commitment in this regard.

I ask that the Minister of State bring back to the Minister an issue to be reviewed in the context of apprenticeships, which is the green certificate in the context of agricultural training. There is a great shortage of people in the agricultural sector. I spoke about Teagasc and agricultural training here some months ago. I received an email from a woman who had major concerns regarding her apprenticeship with Teagasc, where she was serving her green certificate time. We have issues in this regard, and we must continuously evaluate apprenticeship programmes. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House, and if he could shed some light on these issues, or perhaps send on some follow-up information, that would be very helpful.