SIPTU members have welcomed the commitment from the Department of Further & Higher Education to significantly increase the number of apprentices in local authorities. SIPTU Education Sector Organiser, Karl Byrne said: “We are currently engaging with stakeholders, including SOLAS and Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), to try and agree an acceptable model of delivery that increases the number of apprenticeships. “While we have been somewhat successful in addressing the current backlog, a significant increase of several hundred apprentices could overload an already creaking apprenticeship system.” SIPTU Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane, said: “Our members are seeking a major capital investment to meet current and projected demand. A €10 million provision for apprenticeships was provided for in 2021, which is just a drop in the ocean if the Government is to achieve its policy objective of creating 750 new apprenticeships across the public service each year. “At present, there are less than 50 apprentices across the entire local authority sector. We need firm commitments on apprentice numbers from each Local Authority, so they can play their part in ensuring that the Government's target is reached."
SIPTU calls for more investment to support increase in local authority apprenticeships
