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Apprenticeships are somehow one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets

In the last five years, more than 40,000 current apprentices and graduates have been creating successful careers through an apprenticeship. Yet despite the benefits, why are they under the radar?

It was a no-brainer for Máiríde Bennis to choose apprenticeship, gaining valuable industry experience and knowledge within a company, avoiding student debt, and earning a degree
It was a no-brainer for Máiríde Bennis to choose apprenticeship, gaining valuable industry experience and knowledge within a company, avoiding student debt, and earning a degree
Dr Mary-Liz Trant, director, National Apprenticeship Office
Tue Aug 27 2024 - 05:00

More than 70 apprenticeship options now span such diverse industries as engineering, finance, farming, construction, software development, insurance, aircraft mechanics, hospitality and the pharmaceutical industry. Next month, from September 25th-27th, the area around Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, will be thronged with second-level students plus a growing number of older learners attending WorldSkills Ireland, the national skills expo that runs in tandem with The Irish Times Higher Options event.

Last September, more than 30,000 people came to see talented apprentices and trainees demonstrate world-class skills in a live environment at WorldSkills Ireland, seeing up close the expertise, creativity and workmanship that has skilled Irish workers in demand all over the world. The event acts as a hub for people to see, meet and talk to current and graduate apprentices who are passionate about the route they took into their career.

Powering up a career with Generation Apprenticeship

Máiríde Bennis is a recent graduate of the manufacturing engineering apprenticeship, and a passionate advocate for apprenticeships. Now working as a qualified engineer, Bennis has promoted the benefits of apprenticeships to students, parents and guidance counsellors alike. “I achieved more than enough points to go to college and study for an engineering degree,” she says. “I actually love the practical, hands-on side of apprenticeships, and I’ve ended up with a Level 7 [degree] qualification out of it, which is the equivalent of going to college for three to four years.”

Mechanical automation and maintenance fitting apprentice, Seán Veale shares how transformational the apprenticeship route can be: “This apprenticeship has definitely changed me. I was the quiet young lad in the class, I just never asked the questions. But being at work, dealing with people, meeting new people every day ... it really brings you on. It’s definitely brought me out of my shell. I’m delighted to be an apprentice.”

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Apprenticeships have become more visible in the past five years, particularly as apprenticeships have expanded into diverse industry areas and to certificate, degree and master’s programmes. But even the most passionate, vocal apprentices acknowledge outdated attitudes around apprenticeship can still exist – sometimes in unexpected places.

When she chose the apprenticeship route, some thought Julie Coleman was making a mistake. Now she is earning and learning her way to a rewarding career
When she chose the apprenticeship route, some thought Julie Coleman was making a mistake. Now she is earning and learning her way to a rewarding career

Toolmaking apprentice Julie Coleman has experience of this. For Coleman, choosing the apprenticeship route has driven personal success and growth, with a “life-changing” impact on her career development. She recalls, however, how some perceived she had not chosen well. “My sister met a teacher of mine, who said, ‘Gosh, I really thought she would have made something of herself.’ ... How wrong [that view] is. Apprenticeships have so much to offer with so many options available. And at the end of it, you’ll have a qualification and a full-time job. What more could you ask for?”

The experiences of apprentice graduates chime with this view and highlight the growing number of informed students choosing apprenticeships to build successful careers.

Zain Kenny, who will become a fully-qualified electrician in the coming months was a high achiever in school. Kenny describes being encouraged at school to choose an academic route in physics or mathematics, but he always knew that an electrical apprenticeship was the path he wanted to take, and he did not waver. Now he is in what he describes as his “dream job”, with a bright future ahead.

High-achiever Zain Kenny earned a phenomenal 595 Leaving Cert points. He ignored advice to follow an academic route and will soon qualify as an electrician
High-achiever Zain Kenny earned a phenomenal 595 Leaving Cert points. He ignored advice to follow an academic route and will soon qualify as an electrician

Women and apprenticeships

Opening up the conversation on apprenticeships as an attractive option after the Leaving Certificate has been a focus for the National Apprenticeship Office. The organisation has led Facts, Faces, Futures, a national outreach campaign with information and guidance on future apprenticeship options, showcasing women achieving career success with apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship employers are also proactive in promoting apprenticeships to women across regions where many are keen to find both men and women for their workforce. Companies like Johnson & Johnson VisionCare invite schools to come on site and experience how apprentices fuel the production of products and services.

“Apprenticeships are beneficial because you’re not only being supported financially but you’re supported by a whole company, with a team of mentors behind you,” says Johnson & Johnson apprentice Jodie Whyte. “When you do an apprenticeship, not only are you leaving with your degree but with industry experience also.”

The number of women of school-leaving age and older who choose the apprenticeship route has grown in recent years. In 2019, just 370 women apprentices registered for training. This number grew to 1,039 in 2023.

Ryan Mawdsley opted to leave college to pursue an apprenticeship and hasn't looked back. He chose this route because he could gain a degree and experience at the same time
Ryan Mawdsley opted to leave college to pursue an apprenticeship and hasn't looked back. He chose this route because he could gain a degree and experience at the same time

Not just for school leavers

Apprentices of all genders and ages are also keen to get the message out there about apprenticeship options for people who are already studying or working and who are interested in upskilling or changing career. Ryan Mawdsley had started his degree in college, realised that it wasn’t for him and grasped an apprenticeship in insurance practice with both hands. “I was in my second year in college,” he says, “I was working in retail and every weekend I was looking forward to going to work. And I was starting to dislike college. The apprenticeship gave me a route that I didn’t see at the time ... So I looked into the insurance apprenticeship, I went forward for it, and I’ve never looked back.”

The vast majority of apprentices (69 per cent) are 21 years or older, and of these, there are 800 apprentices aged 40 years and over. This reflects the changing demographic of apprentices and the availability of six apprenticeships leading to a master’s and PhD-level awards in areas that include advanced engineering, supply chain management, social work, equipment systems engineering and lean sigma management.

Apprenticeships are just one of the many options open to the 2024 cohort of school leavers receiving their Leaving Certificate results this summer, as well as to older learners. Surely it is high time to lose any outdated views on who apprenticeships are for and the many benefits they offer?