The Education Minister's announced the Government will provide eight million euro in capital funding to 10 Institutes of Technology.
It'll deliver 10 more apprenticeship programmes and over 6,000 more apprenticeship registrations in 2018.
Capital funding of €825,000 will be allocated to Waterford Institute of Technology for the purchase of equipment for new Electronic Security Systems and Plumbing apprenticeship syllabi at the institute.
The grant includes €575,000 for an Electronic Security Systems apprenticeship and €250,000 for a Plumbing apprenticeship and will enable WIT to purchase equipment and carry out enabling works required to support the rollout of the new courses.
The Government has committed to more than doubling the number of new apprentices registered to 9,000 by 2020 nationally and expanding further into new areas.
Minister of State, Waterford TD John Halligan said:
“Apprenticeship registrations have steadily increased in recent years, having fallen dramatically from a peak in 2008. However there has been very limited investment in equipment and workshops to support apprentice provision in our Institutes of Technology over the last twenty years. This funding will specifically benefit students already in the apprenticeship system, ensuring they have access to the most up-to-date and industry-relevant programmes and equipment, to prepare them for our modern workplace.
“We are committed to more than doubling the number of new apprentices registered to 9,000 by 2020. In Budget 2018 we allocated €122m for apprenticeship training, an increase of almost 24% on the previous year. This will allow for the delivery of 10 more apprenticeship programmes and over 6,000 new apprenticeship registrations across the country in 2018. ”
Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton TD said:
“Apprenticeships were one of the great casualties of the recession – registrations fell by 80% over the period. I am determined during my time as Minister to not only reverse this trend and rebuild traditional pathways but to significantly expand apprenticeships into new industries.
“Building strong pathways to education is key to delivering on our ambition to make Ireland’s education and training service the best in Europe by 2026. Apprenticeships and traineeships offer fantastic opportunities and I’d encourage any person interested to consider them when looking at their career options.”
