More choosing to earn and learn for a brighter future

What was once seen as a route solely for budding tradespeople, the apprenticeship programme in Ireland has had a complete facelift over the past decade with an increasing number of both school leavers and people already on a career path choosing to widen their options by becoming an apprentice – and not only developing their knowledge and skills, but also earning a salary along the way.

One of the biggest drivers of this rise in popularity in recent years is the variety of ‘21st-century apprenticeship’ options which are now available across the country – as including Craft Apprenticeships, there are 66 programmes leading to qualifications in areas such as finance, accountancy, laboratory technicians, engineering, heavy vehicle mechanics, laboratory technician, logistics associate and healthcare.

Such is the demand for these innovative and exciting programmes that last year the National Apprenticeship Office was jointly established by Solas and the Higher Education Authority to implement the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 and to drive expansion of the apprenticeship system nationally.

Director, Dr Mary-Liz Trant, says the interest in apprenticeships is growing year on year and this is down to the huge level of choice on offer.

“The apprenticeship route is increasingly popular among those in careers, including career changers and those who want to upskill via apprenticeship,” she said. “This is particularly the case for apprenticeships which lead to degree-level awards, masters level awards, and even one apprenticeship programme for senior engineers that leads to a PhD award.

“The big change (regarding the level of interest in apprenticeships) has been in the diversity of choice available for those interested in earning while they learn and going the apprenticeship route. In addition, attitudes towards apprenticeships in Ireland are changing. Potential apprentices, their families, parents, partners, teachers, guidance counsellors, and the general public are now starting to understand that apprenticeship is primarily a mode of learning and getting a qualification, and a fantastic way to build a career.”

Jo Cahalin, manager, Future Building Skills with the Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), agrees and says that industry and society as a whole is beginning to understand the benefits of an apprenticeship to both participants and employers.

“Apprenticeships are in the news, mindsets are changing,” she said. “Businesses, industry and the government now understand and accept that to excel in the global markets and promote robust employment and growth results, investment in apprenticeship programmes is vital to meeting the ever changing and challenging demands of what the industry sectors require to promote strong employment and growth outcomes.

“Apprenticeships are now seen as an essential pathway for many school leavers, career changers, and the more mature learners as well as to people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, talents, and abilities.

“And as set out in the ‘Action Plan for Apprenticeship, 2021-2025 ’, the National Apprenticeship Alliance will have an advisory role in relation to the development of the apprenticeship system and will oversee and sanction the development of new apprenticeships over the coming years and will work with the National Apprenticeship Office, Solas, and HEA to implement the craft apprentice migration plan to ensure that all apprenticeship are delivered under the single apprenticeship system.”

This is of further benefit to participants and Alex Keys, Senior Manager, Quality Assurance, with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) says the programme is designed to ‘enable a learner to become a recognised practitioner in a specified occupation’, spending part of their time studying off the job and part learning on the job and the opportunities have increased hugely in the past ten years.

“Since 2013 the apprenticeship landscape in Ireland has been transformed with many programmes now on offer representing a greater spread of sectors and employers,” she said. “Over the last decade Ireland has grown and further developed the apprenticeship system by implementing a new and robust infrastructure including a National Apprenticeship Office, a national Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021 to 2025, a National Apprenticeship Alliance, QQI’s Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines for providers of apprenticeships and financial supports.”

Keys says that this combination of learning and developing while also earning a salary is a huge bonus for apprentices and this is one of the main drivers for its growth in popularity.

“Enrolling on an apprenticeship programme is an exciting way to earn as you learn across a wide range of areas such as accounting, computer networking and auctioneering and property services,” she said. “The diversity of choices available is growing each year with QQI approving new apprenticeships in the areas bar management and industrial wind turbine engineering in the last year alone, and apprenticeships in horticulture and sportsturf in the pipeline.

“The blended approach to learning via on and off-the-job allow apprentices to put into practice what they learn, building their skillsets, competencies and experience to progress their career in any number of sectors.”

In the past decade, the number of programmes has more than doubled from just 25 in 2014 to 66 available today – with areas such as insurance, biopharma, IT and chef apprenticeships growing in popularity. While retail supervision, auctioneering and property services, bar manager and accounting technician apprenticeships are among the fastest-growing new programmes.

Apprenticeships are now referenced on the CAO website and Keys says that a new partnership approach is underway with consortia delivering over 41 apprenticeship programmes (by end of 2022) and completion of a review of consortia-led apprenticeships which was led by QQI.

“QQI is looking forward to working closely with key stakeholders over the next number of years to further progress the actions in the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021 to 2025 including the development of a single integrated system of quality apprenticeships,” she said.

“This is an exciting time for learners who wish to combine learning and work.”