Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has announced 17 new apprenticeship programmes will be developed during 2022.
The development of the new programmes are intended to help deliver on the commitments made under the Programme for Government to support and drive the economy, while addressing the skills requirements identified across society.
Under the Action Plan for Apprenticeships, the number of new apprentice registrations is to grow to 10,000 per year by 2025.
The 17 new courses being developed over the coming year are in the areas of agriculture, engineering, construction, equine, finance, hospitality and food, ICT and logistics.
Apprenticeship programmes are employer-led. Approval for programme development will be transferred from the Apprenticeship Council to the new National Apprenticeship Alliance, which is being established in early 2022.
An apprenticeship is a work-based learning opportunity. It combines a minimum of 50% work-based learning with an employer with off-the-job learning in an education and training institution. Apprenticeships lead to internationally recognised qualifications from level 5 -10 of the National Framework of Qualifications.
Apprentices ‘earn while they learn’ – they have an employment contract and are paid a salary for the duration of their apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships vary in length depending on the programme, lasting between two and five years.
The 17 new apprenticeships under development during 2022 are as follows:
| Apprenticeship | NFQ Level | |
| Agriculture | ||
| 1 | Farm Manager | Level 7 |
| 2 | Farm Technician | Level 6 |
| 3 | Sportsturf Management | Level 6 |
| Construction | ||
| 4 | Advanced Quantity Surveyor | Level 9 |
| 5 | Roofing and Cladding | Level 5 |
| Engineering | ||
| 6 | Manufacturing Data Integration Engineer | Level 7 |
| 7 | Precision Machinist and Quality Control | Level 6 |
| 8 | Science Aircraft Asset Management | Level 7 |
| 9 | Wind Turbine Maintenance | Level 6 |
| Equine | ||
| 10 | Stud Farm Assistant Management | Level 7 |
| Finance | ||
| 11 | International Financial Services Advanced Specialist | Level 9 |
| 12 | Applied Horticulture | Level 6 |
| Hospitality and Food | ||
| 13 | Bar Manager | Level 7 |
| 14 | Executive Chef | Level 9 |
| ICT | ||
| 15 | Software Solutions Architect | Level 9 |
| 16 | Advanced Cyber Security Practitioner | Level 8 |
| Logistics | ||
| 17 | Transport Operations and Commercial Driving | Level 6
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