More emphasis on the benefits of completing an apprenticeship need to be highlighted in order to preserve a strong future of qualified tradespeople.
Tánaiste and Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment, Leo Varadkar (FG) has been called on by Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) to “ensure that sufficient incentives are introduced to both encourage our youth to seek apprenticeships and to encourage qualified tradespeople to facilitate this necessary training”.
Delays have been experienced for apprentice plumbers and carpenters, Cllr Murphy cautioned. “There has been talk about data centres and housing today but we need young lads and ladies to be suitably qualified to work in the industry,” he said at a recent meeting of Clare County Council.
If Housing for All is to be successful, the Clarecastle man felt it hinged on attracting new construction workers. Between 20,000 to 30,000 workers are estimated to be required for retrofitting across the State, he outlied.
A “log jam of apprenticeships”, needs to be dealt with, Cllr Murphy insisted. “We badly need these people to get their qualifications and to get out into the workforce. Both of my sons mentioned trades on what they want to be when they are older, it got me thinking about where things are at,” he concluded.
Ireland has fallen behind when compared to Europe in training people for new trades, Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) believed. “We will need more girls to be given the opportunity to take up trades. We’re lagging behind”.
Changing the word apprenticeship to encourage more people to get into various trades is worth considering, Cllr Michael Begley (IND) suggested.
