‘Apprenticeships are key to our ambition’

TODAY, thousands of career opportunities are opening up across a rapidly changing world of work, from aviation to hospitality, and from finance to construction. There is a huge demand for welltrained, productive and engaged workers.

As Minister for Education and Skills, I have a clear message for anyone thinking about life, study and work after school:

The businesses of today value young people who choose an apprenticeship or traineeship as highly as someone who chooses to study at college or university.

There are many different paths and many different options to a rewarding career. Expanding the opportunities for schoolleavers and young people is a key priority for this Government. Educators play a hugely important role in supporting our young people and helping them to make independent choices on their journey into a career. So too do the parents, families, friends and role models in the community and local clubs.

All of us need to see the huge transformation that is taking place in the further education and apprentices sector.

Ireland Skills Live will be a great three-day event. It’s a massive opportunity to hear the success stories of past apprentices, learn what is on offer and meet sponsors. Everyone will walk away with a head full of ideas for their future. As Minister for Education and Skills, I want to see more initiatives to bring vocational education and private industry together. Our education system is on course to be the best in Europe and apprenticeships are key to our ambitions. But we should not rest — I urge students, teacher, parents and guidance counsellors to think about every avenue that can be opened to school-leavers.

Our skills teams are competing and winning on the global stage. Come to Ireland Skills Live and be inspired by the talent and expertise Ireland’s young people have to offer the world.