John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline details of current or proposed plans to create apprenticeships around the wind energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26509/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Deputy's question and I am happy to advise him that many of the suite of apprenticeships programmes currently in place equip participants with relevant skills that are essential to support the success of Ireland's wind energy sector.

In light of the extensive supply chain required for wind farm development, these apprenticeship programmes include the wind turbine maintenance technician apprenticeship, geo-drilling, accounting technician and various electrical, logistics, manufacturing and engineering programmes.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a planning apprenticeship is now also in development, the success of which will be very relevant to increasing national wind energy capacity.

In light of its specific focus on the growth of the wind energy sector, I would like to highlight in particular the wind turbine maintenance technician apprenticeship, provided by Kerry Education and Training Board. This is a three-year programme designed to meet the needs of the growing renewable and sustainable energy sector. The programme launched in 2022 with 14 apprentices and currently has 29 apprentices enrolled. On completion of the programme, apprentices are awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Industrial Wind Turbine Engineering.

In addition, my Department is supporting a broad range of initiatives to enable us to meet the workforce challenges and skills needs associated with the development of renewable energy, including the development of offshore wind.

My Department is also actively monitoring and planning for future skills requirements for this key sector of the economy through the dedicated Skills and Workforce Workstream of the cross-Departmental Offshore Wind Energy Programme.