Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 May 2024
288. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he plans to introduce a special purpose apprenticeship in modern methods of construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23353/24]
View answerGreater adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), an umbrella term for a range of innovative construction processes, is a key pillar of the Government’s approach to increasing innovation and achieving productivity gains in the delivery of housing.
MMC will promote the diversity of career opportunities in the sector, including new and emerging careers, while the greater adoption of MMC is also expected to reduce the projected increase in existing labour demand.
This Department is working with partners to advance a coherent approach to the adoption of MMC and is responsible for a number of actions in this area in Housing for All and the Government’s MMC Roadmap. These actions include the development of a National Demonstration Park for MMC and an MMC Skills Action Plan.
The apprenticeship model is an invaluable part of the overall tertiary response to construction skills requirements. Recognising this, Government provided an additional €67 million in Budget 2024 for apprenticeship delivery. In total, almost €300 million was provided for apprenticeship.
Currently there are 30 construction and construction-related apprenticeships available. Development processes are in place for employers who wish to assess the potential for new construction apprenticeships in line with industry needs.
This Department is working with partners to ensure that there is provision of relevant specialist training for emerging MMC skills requirements, including through apprenticeship.
Laois & Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) and TU Dublin are currently building a consortium of industry leaders and education and training providers to develop a national MMC Project Management Apprenticeship Programme.
Both of the lead partners bring a wealth of experience in construction education and training to the project with the aim of creating an apprenticeship programme that will equip future MMC professionals with the necessary knowledge, skills, and practical experience to excel in this field.
The partnership is currently reaching out to industry stakeholders to participate in shaping a proposal to meet the specific needs of the Irish construction sector. Following this, the proposal will be submitted to the National Apprenticeship Office as soon as possible.
There are already numerous MMC training courses available through the National Construction Training Campus, the Education and Training Boards, Skillnet Ireland and higher education institutions. I have no doubt that the addition of a suitable apprenticeship programme, which has been approved through the usual governance arrangements, will be a valuable development.
