The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Apprenticeships are ‘in’
ONE notable shift in recent years has been the resurgence and uptake in skilled trades and apprenticeships.
The need to cultivate future talent in order to alleviate a shortage of skilled workers in the economy is now apparent. A shortage of skilled tradespeople in the construction sector, for example, is a case in point where tradespeople have been particularly hard to locate, thus slowing down (among other factors our need to develop housing.
Research published earlier this year by The Insurance Institute found that 54 percent of young adults in Munster would consider undertaking an apprenticeship as an alternative to college. The move away from academic type courses to training and apprenticeships reflects the need to support the economy. This evidence is supported by the 84 percent of young adults in Munster who said that college/third level education isn’t for everyone, with 79 percent saying that a successful career without going to college is possible.
The findings also reveal that 74 percent of parents in Munster would now encourage their child to undertake an apprenticeship, with 5 percent believing there are currently enough apprenticeship options available.
For example, apprenticeships at Kerry College have over 50 new apprenticeships catering for a changing and expanding services sector. Each year over 2,000 individuals progress their training and learning at its Monavalley Campus.
Engineering, finance, construction, biopharmachem, electrical, logistics, hospitality and food are among some of the key areas where the levels of apprenticeships have seen a rise. The apprenticeship model combines structured education and training between the workplace and a training centre. It is often this flexibility and interactivity that makes apprenticeships attractive.
Apprenticeships are now recognised by recruitment personnel as being industry-led and supporting growth and education in the workplace.