Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

137. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a shortage in the availability of the trade of shuttering carpenters here at present. [12285/17]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As levels of activity in the construction sector continues to increase, demand for skilled and semi-skilled occupations is forecast to increase over the coming years. The planning of education and training provision is taking account of this forecasted growth in demand in both the apprenticeship system and also the broader Further Education and Training programmes.     

While there is no dedicated apprenticeship for form shuttering in Ireland, aspects of the skills required to carry out formwork are covered in the statutory carpentry and joinery apprenticeship.  There has been strong growth in the numbers of registrations in the carpentry and joinery apprenticeship with 399 apprentices registering in 2016, a 37% increase on the 2015 figure.

Further Education and Training providers deliver a range of specific skills programmes for the construction sector outside of the apprenticeship system. SOLAS, in consultation with Industry and Education and Training Boards continue to expand provision to meet the needs of the construction sector in a number of semi-skilled areas.  I understand that formwork skills will be covered in a new Construction Operative Programme which will be rolled out in 2017 with approximately 100 places.