‘Apprenticeships council’ unveiled

A new "apprenticeships council" is to establish which sectors require more trainees and ensure those, offered opportunities, are given the "best possible training".

The proposed council, announced by the Department of Education, has been welcomed by employers’ groups who say the current apprenticeship system “did not reflect the broad skill needs of the Irish economy”.

The department said one of the first tasks of the council would be “to issue a call, for proposals from employers and education and training providers, to develop new apprenticeships in areas outside of the current apprenticeship trades”, as well as to advise on the implementation of new apprenticeships following that process.