Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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410. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the recent increase in the number of apprentices; and the number of apprenticeships being offered and being taken up by students. [12589/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Significant progress is being made in realising the ambition for apprenticeship set out in the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 published in April last year.  The further development and mainstreaming of apprenticeship in Ireland through the creation of a single unified apprenticeship system has a key role to play in meeting Ireland's skill needs in a manner which presents a valued proposition for apprentices and employers alike.

The Action Plan sets a target of 10,000 annual apprentice registrations by 2025. In 2021 there were a record 8,607 registrations- up from 6,177 for 2019, the last pre-COVID full year, and the highest annual registrations since the 2006 figure of 8,306.

In 2021, 6,955 registrations were in craft apprenticeships, and largely in the construction sector, which will be vital for realising the ambition set out in Housing for All. There were 1,652 registrations on the newer, post-2016 programmes

Information on apprenticeship activity received by my Department shows that for the month of January, there were 468 registrations in craft apprenticeship programs. 317 of these apprentices or 68% were aged between 16 and 20 years of age showing a strong uptake in apprenticeships by students.

In November 2021 information on apprenticeship was included on the CAO website. This initiative is expected to make a significant contribution to highlighting the range of learning and qualification options for school leavers, providing opportunities beyond the more traditional academic path for those who wish to obtain a qualification through different and equally valued means.

As part of this landmark change, a Freephone helpline has been introduced for learners, parents and guidance counsellors to provide information on apprenticeship, including how to find an employer. The helpline supplements the existing guidance counsellor service at post-primary and further education and training levels. A briefing session for guidance counsellors was also organised by ETBI and SOLAS to provide information on apprenticeship options.  Collectively, these measures mark an important step in increasing awareness of and access to apprenticeship programmes for students.