Government accused of taking its 'eye off the ball' over major backlog in apprenticeship system

The 9,000 craft apprentices waiting to complete their off-the-job training to become fully qualified 'want to help sort out the housing crisis', Sinn Féin finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said

Figures released earlier this week showed 3,376 craft trade apprentices dropped out of their courses over the last three years.

Sinn Féin has accused the Government of leaving the apprenticeship system in crisis, as more than 9,000 await progress in their courses.

The party’s finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said the Government had taken its eye off the ball on craft apprenticeships, saying the trainees want to help solve the housing crisis but cannot.