merrion street

• All Targets Exceeded for 2017
• New Programmes in Digital Marketing, Engineering and Animation

Launching a new easy to use guide to traineeship, Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton TD today called on employers and learners to avail of the opportunities available to them in the area of traineeships.
This Government is committed to doubling the number of trainees enrolled by 2020 and to significantly expanding the number of industries offering traineeship programmes. Budget 2018 allocated an additional €15m for traineeship training which represents an increase of almost 58% on the 2017 allocation of €26m.

We have exceeded our 2017 targets. To date, despite a target of 2,600, there have been 2,659 new enrolments in traineeships, expected to continue to rise to year end and 7 new traineeships have been established, exceeding the target of 6 which was set. The target new enrolments for 2018 is 3,900.

Previously aimed at unemployed people, traineeships are now open to a wider range of participants, of all ages and background. Currently 1,500 employers, working with ETBs are offering traineeship opportunities across a range of industries, including business, retail, care, construction, engineering, fashion and beauty, finance, ICT, hospitality, sports and leisure and logistics.

Launching a new Five-Step Guide at an event in the Teeling Distillery in Dublin today, aimed at employers seeking practical information on how to develop a traineeship within their company, Minister Bruton said “If we want to have the best education and training service in Europe by 2026, we need to provide a range of pathways for people to fulfil their career ambitions. I am very keen to grow the number of trainees enrolled, and the number of traineeship programmes available. We have seen the success our European counterparts have had in making traineeships and apprenticeships key to economic growth. I want to replicate that success here in Ireland and have set a very ambitious programme of work to achieve just that.”

Minister of State John Halligan said “It’s fantastic to see the development of the traineeship career paths and the provision of opportunities for people to learn skills and get hands-on experience and also to see new traineeships developed in areas such as engineering, hospitality and visual effects.”

Employers showcased at the event were applauded for their contribution and commitment to the delivery of traineeship provision in Ireland, a cornerstone of the Irish education and training system for over 20 years. Traineeship graduates spoke of their own personal journey to success after signing up for a traineeship. Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board outlined how the ETB sector is working with employers in developing and delivering traineeship programmes.

Mary-Liz Trant, Executive Director for Skills Development, SOLAS said “It is clear from our guest speakers today that traineeship offers great opportunities to employers and trainees alike. Employers can access a pipeline of talent and learners, and participants get to develop cutting edge skills and knowledge on-the-job, making them more skilled, more employable and enhancing their career options.”


Further information is available at www.traineeship.ie


Notes to Editors:

SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority, was established under primary legislation in 2013 and is responsible for funding, co-ordinating and monitoring Further Education and Training. SOLAS’ main partners, the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) are responsible for the delivery of the majority of Further Education and Training courses.

Traineeships have been part of the Irish education and training system for over twenty years. Their primary aim is to provide work-based learning in partnership with employers, improve recruitment and employment outcomes for participants and increase retention and productivity within industry.

Traineeships in Ireland have the following key features
· They respond to an identified industry skills need
· Lead to an award at NFQ Levels 4-6, or equivalent
· Are between 6-20 months in duration
· Have at least 30% of learning on-the-job
· Combine transversal and technical skills development
· Are designed for flexible delivery – online, face-to-face, blended learning
· Provide open access to prospective trainees, unemployed people may be eligible for income support