LOETB form part of the Generation Apprenticeship panel discussion on 'Transforming the landscape on apprenticeships in Ireland'

Minister Simon Harris , TD, Oran Doherty , Retail Apprenticeship Manager, Ibec and Sandra Doyle , Senior Training Advisor, Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), took to the stage, in the Government of Ireland marquee, at the National Ploughing Championships, on Thursday 22nd September to discuss the transforming landscape of apprenticeships in Ireland. They were joined on stage by Ryan Shanahan, Apprentice Plumber and Apprentice of the Year Nominee, and Ryan’s employer Diarmuid Jones from Keltic Renewables.

Minister Harris spoke of the pressure on young people in school, how they are convinced the only way to success is through CAO points and how this has led to mental health and well-being challenges, significant college dropout rates, and skills shortages.

We want to change the culture around apprenticeships in Ireland."

The Minister continued to explain how we need fifty thousand more people working in the trades if we are to meet the housing targets and climate change targets. On discussing how we need to change our approach to education both for the well-being of young people and to meet the skills need of our country, he mentioned how the government has published a new Apprenticeship Action Plan.

This Action Plan outlines targets of recruiting 10,000 new apprentices every year in Ireland before 2025. Steps to do this include the introduction of a new employer grant of two thousand euro per annum, per apprentice; the inclusion of Further Education and Training (FET) and apprenticeship options on the CAO website, and setting a target of 750 apprentices per year for the Public Sector.

“An apprenticeship is third level”

Minister Harris spoke of how business see a value in hiring someone who comes through the apprenticeship route, as they see someone who has the academic qualification but also has the practical skills, which will help mould their business.

Sandra Doyle, Senior Training Advisor, in Apprenticeship Services with LOETB explained how there are currently over 66 apprenticeship programmes including traditional craft apprenticeships and the new occupational apprenticeships. ?Sandra spoke of how these programmes lead to valuable qualifications in areas such as electrical, construction, motor, engineering, finance, insurance, hospitality, auctioneering, recruitment, sales, scaffolding and more.

She spoke of the new Scaffolding Apprenticeship, which was recently launched my Minister Harris in July at the LOETB - National Construction Training Campus, Mount Lucas , Co. Offaly.

One of the most important things to note about an apprenticeship is the Earn while you Learn Model.

Speaking about apprenticeships and how they different from the traditional full-time courses, Sandra mentioned the earn while you earn model, and also how apprentices also get the opportunity to attend third level and the opportunities for progression within apprenticeships to Level 7, Level 8 and even a Master’s Degree.

Sandra mentioned pathways into apprenticeships and how LOETB offer pre-apprenticeship programmes for those unsure of their career paths and would like to do a taster programme on different trades to ensure they are choosing one they are passionate about.

For more information on apprenticeships please visit:

• https://www.loetb.ie/apprenticeships
• https://apprenticeship.ie
• Click here to watch the panel discussion