Funded apprenticeships drive new era for on-site learning

The fact that apprentices earn while they learn removes for many young people, the financial bars to pursuing a chosen career. Employers benefit as on-the-job learning is part of the apprenticeship programme. Apprentices benefit because they are both employed and learning on the job, whilst simultaneously studying for beneficial qualifications. With all that, they’re earning from the get-go.

It’s a win-win system, one in which the National Apprenticeship Office has overall responsibility in Ireland and one in which that organisation is making robust progress under the directorship of Dr Mary-Liz Trant and her hard-working team.

Damian Walshe is manager for stakeholder engagement and promotion at the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO). Commenting on that organisation’s successful endeavours to encourage more females to participate, he says this drive has been ‘ongoing’ over the last number of years.

“Up until 2016, there were less than 40 females choosing the apprenticeship route annually,” he says. “Since 2022, the NAO has been providing annual supports for employers to employ more women apprentices. Employers are eligible to receive a gender bursary of €2,666 per apprentice across 41 apprenticeship programmes where women are under-represented.”

Of the targeted national campaign that has in tandem been underway with girls’ schools, he continues: “‘Facts, Faces, Futures’ aims to reach all girls schools in Ireland this year. This campaign highlights the range of career opportunities available to women via the 73 apprenticeship programmes now available. It also showcases and celebrates female apprentices and graduates who are building exceptional careers in their chosen field.”

Relaying more good news, he continues: “The NAO expects to pass the 1,000 mark of women apprentices registering for training this year - the highest figure ever. Nevertheless a significant amount of work remains to be done to ensure that our national apprenticeship system reflects the population in Ireland as a whole.”

As for how this will be achieved, he says it will be with the support of employers across all industries, educators, guidance counsellors and female apprentices.

Bishopstown campus has a proud history of supporting employers and apprentices to success in their careers, according to manager, Valerie Cowman. Acknowledging that apprenticeship is a viable way to develop skills whilst earning and a starting point on a career path for many, she says: “It is great to see the number of women participating in traditional craft apprenticeship increasing and we look forward to welcoming more to the campus in Bishopstown to start the education piece of their apprenticeship journey.” 

As for how the expansion of apprenticeships in Ireland has so positively impacted on school leavers in Ireland, Shane Williams, deputy principal of Drogheda Institute of Further Education, says: “Today you can do almost anything through an apprenticeship, from accounting, hairdressing, insurance and retail sales, to the traditional craft apprenticeships.

“In Drogheda, we have seen first hand, the progression of apprenticeship programmes with the opening of Ireland’s first electrical apprenticeship college this year.

Additional expansion of apprenticeships in Drogheda in 2024, will see a national sales apprenticeship commencing here in Drogheda Institute. Remarking on the sales talent that will doubtless result from this apprenticeship, he says local and regional employers will benefit from this.

As for how students are benefiting from the broader options available to them today, he says: “The awareness and interest in programmes in FET including traineeship, apprenticeships and PLC courses, demonstrates that young people in Ireland are now making smart, rounded, progression choices, based on their skills and interests.”