Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the initiatives that he has facilitated to encourage the recruitment of apprentices to the construction sector in order to achieve construction targets as set out in Housing for All; if he is considering any additional measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51440/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A key government priority is to ensure that we have world-leading skills to ensure a sustainable and equitable economy now and in the future.

The construction sector is no exception. We recognise the changes which have taken place and the response needed to support innovation in construction. We also recognise the need for targeted, collaborative and industry- focused opportunities available across the tertiary education and training system.

A key objective of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 is to ensure that the apprenticeship system will increase its contribution to meeting Ireland’s skills and human capital requirements by delivering on a target of 10,000 annual apprenticeship registrations by 2025.

Among the 66 apprenticeships currently available, construction-related programmes include electrical, plumbing, carpentry and joinery, plastering, painting and decorating and the recently launched scaffolding apprenticeship. Curricula in existing apprenticeships are updated on an ongoing basis to keep pace with changes in industry practices and regulations.

In 2021, a record 8,607 new apprentices were registered. This was an almost 40% increase on the figures from 2019, the last “normal” pre-pandemic year. Of these registrations 62%, or 5,337, were in what we deem construction apprenticeship programmes. As of the end of September 2022, there have been 3,296 registrations in construction apprenticeships.

The Green Skills for FET Roadmap 2021-2030 was launched on the 23rd March. It incorporates the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021 (NRRP), and the Green Skills Action Programme which begun in 2021. The NRRP committed €29M to NZEB & Retrofit upskilling and reskilling programmes and €10M to Green Skills Modules. Under the Plan, 4,550 retrofit and NZEB standard places and 60,000 green skills places are to be provided by the end of 2022.

Three Centres of Excellence for NZEB and retrofitting training are officially opened in Waterford-Wexford ETB, Laois-Offaly ETB and Limerick-Clare ETB. Courses are also being delivered in Cork ETB and Mayo-Sligo-Leitrim ETB, and further courses will be provide through a sixth centre in Finglas, under CDETB.

The FutureBuilding Initiative was launched in May this year, with an aim to spearhead activation and recruitment for the construction sector along with supporting the industry by significantly scaling-up in education and training opportunities. It is a joint initiative between my Department and that of my colleague, Minister Humphreys. Recognising that we need to change the narrative around careers in construction, a large focus is on highlighting the range of occupational opportunities which exist across the sector.

The Department is also working with colleagues both in SOLAS, the HEA and other Government Departments to deliver an appropriate response to existing projections of skills needs in the construction sector. We expect to publish a report and corresponding tertiary action plan on how to address these needs shortly.