DKIT AWARDED €900K TO FUND APPRENTICES
Dundalk Institute of Technology has been awarded over €900,000 in capital funding for the apprenticeship programme.
The funding was announced by Education Minister, Richard Bruton who confirmed that it is designated for apprenticeships at the college.
‘ This funding supports our objective to expand apprenticeships and traineeships in the period to 2020 and ensure they are an attractive path for people to take,’ said the Minister.
‘We plan to more than double the number of annual apprenticeship and traineeship registrations to 14,000 by 2020.’
‘A key commitment set out in the plan for this year was the issuing of a second call for apprenticeship proposals to refresh the pipeline of proposals already established through the first call.’
He explained that the second call opened on 4th May and will remain open until September 1st.
‘I urge employers to come forward with new apprenticeship proposals that can be developed to meet the skill needs in their sectors.’
Welcoming the announcement, Dundalk TD Peter Fitzpatrick said: ‘ The funding will enable DKIT to purchase equipment and carry out enabling works for the implementation of new programmes for four existing apprenticeships in Electrical, Heavy Vehicle Mechanics, Metal Fabrication and Plumbing.’
He added: ‘Apprenticeships and traineeships give an exciting career path for many young people. An apprentice- ship prepares participants for a specific occupation and leads to a qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications.’
The Action Plan to expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship 2016 - 2020 sets out a clear pathway for developing new apprenticeships, a development timeline of 12-15 months, and annual targets for registrations.