Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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132. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the means by which his Department is working to simplify apprenticeship pathways. [37330/25]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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A key objective of my Department's Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 is that apprenticeships are available and valued as a work based learning opportunity, providing sought after qualifications across the tertiary education and training sector.

The Government is committed to improving access to information and supports for apprentices. In 2021, the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) was established as a single point of contact for employers and as a dedicated body to promote and raise the profile of apprenticeships among prospective learners.

Progress to date includes the inclusion of apprenticeship options on the CAO website and the launch of the National Apprenticeship Office Freephone Advice Helpline in January 2022, which is a year round service providing information directly to apprentices, employers and other interested parties regarding apprenticeship. Apprenticeship.ie has also been launched which is a dedicated one-stop website for apprentices to find employment and for employers to advertise opportunities.

To build on what has already been achieved, my Department has recently commissioned market research on how employers and learners interact with the apprenticeship system. The findings of this research will inform the continuing work of Government to simplify pathways to apprenticeship, along with increasing people's awareness of these options.

Reaching schools and career guidance counsellors who can influence young people is also very important. The National Apprenticeship Office is continuing to work with the Institute of Irish Guidance Counsellors to promote and increase awareness of apprenticeship.

My Department launched the Careers in Construction Action Plan in August 2023, which has social media campaigns and other communication initiatives highlighting the opportunities available in construction including through apprenticeship in order to change perceptions of these roles, in particular for girls and women.

World Skills Ireland, sponsored by my Department, is also promoting skills based careers and apprenticeship to over 30,000 second level students from across the country.