Extra €17m for apprenticeships at third-level colleges 

The further funding announced by Higher Education Minister Simon Harris is for apprenticeship programmes including plumbing, refrigeration, air conditioning, and aviation. Picture: iStock

Some €17m in capital funding has been announced to respond to a "growing demand" for apprenticeships in the higher education sector.

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris announced an additional 132 apprentice craft training blocks which will be delivered across four technological universities and one institute of technology to meet the increase in apprentice registrations.

There were 13,254 craft apprenticeship registrations in 2022 and 2021, an increase of almost 40% over the preceding two years.

The blocks announced host apprentices during certain phases of their apprenticeships where they spend time learning in a higher education institution.

Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris announced that four Irish technological universities and one institute of technology will offer an extra 132 craft training blocks. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said the expansion will support the growing demand for learning through apprenticeships.

“This investment reaffirms once again the Government’s strong commitment to enhancing and expanding the apprenticeship system, putting apprenticeships at the centre of the education and training system by building on previous apprenticeship programme funding,” he said.

Munster Technological University, South East Technological University, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Technological University of the Shannon, and Atlantic Technological University will see additional capacity for crafts including plumbing, pipefitting, refrigeration, and air conditioning.

Also included in the investment is an allocation of €220,000 to ensure SETU Carlow can procure the equipment required for delivery of its aviation programme.

Minister of State Niall Collins said this Government has been “relentless” in promoting apprenticeships.

“To meet the demand, we must continuously invest in infrastructure," Mr Collins said.  "I am really pleased to see this investment being made across our TUs. 

"It will help us grow our infrastructure and meet the demands of our growing apprenticeship population.” 

Higher Education Authority Head of Capital Programmes Ciarán McCaffrey said the investment is key to facilitating a strong pipeline in crucial skills areas through the expansion of craft apprenticeships.