Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 October 2025
43. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to encourage more uptake in apprenticeships in skills necessary for the green transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55311/25]
View answerMy Department is driving forward the development of apprenticeships, with a particular focus on the construction sector. Through the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–2025 and its successor, the Apprenticeship Action Plan 2026–2030, currently in development, we are shaping a strategic vision for the future of apprenticeship in Ireland. This is complemented by the Careers in Construction Action Plan, which sets out 20 targeted actions to promote inclusive, attractive, and sustainable careers, especially for women, young people, and under-represented groups.
To foster early engagement, the Initial Vocational Education and Training (iVET) module is now available to all Transition Year students. Developed by the NCCA, ETBI, and SOLAS, iVET offers hands-on exposure to vocational pathways through FET taster courses, career talks, and workshops. An example is Adamstown Community College, which gave Transition Year students a taster course in plumbing, complete with a dedicated training room. Students earned a manual handling certification and progressed to plumbing theory and practice, installing working toilets, radiators, and basins. The programme was supported by Chadwicks (materials) and CJK (CV workshops, interviews, and work experience), and has since expanded to two additional Dublin schools.
My Department provides funding for WorldSkills Ireland, an event where over 30,000 students from more than 300 secondary schools across the country celebrated the talent and ambition of Ireland’s apprentices. The event highlighted the critical role of skills in building a future-ready workforce.
My Department remains committed to positioning apprenticeships, including in construction, as a valued and viable option for secondary school students.
