Toolmaking apprentice €1m boost

THE Government has allocated IT Sligo €1 million for the future development of the toolmaking apprenticeship programme which it administers.

This is part of a Government initiative which will see the State investing €8m capital funding in 10 Institutes of Technology to expand the number of apprenticeships available to school leavers.

Fine Gael TD, Tony McLoughlin said: “Apprenticeships present a fantastic opportunity for lots of schools leavers and I encourage young people in the North West to consider an apprenticeship as a way to start their careers and receive quality training on the job.

“This funding allocation to IT Sligo today is the second largest in the county and it is further evidence of the strength of IT Sligo and how it and its management are viewed nationally.

“My colleague, the Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, is building up the apprenticeship programme again after it was severely reduced during our economic recession.

“Registrations decreased by 80% after the crash and Minister Bruton is building that back up again to give school leavers a wider range of options.

“Apprenticeships are extremely important to our economy as well as the young people who take them up.

“Currently, over 5,000 employers use the apprenticeship system as a talent pipeline in Ireland.

“It is the Government’s stated aim to double the number of apprenticeships available by 2020.

“I hope to see lots of young people in Sligo, Leitrim and South Donegal benefiting from this expansion of the apprenticeship scheme. Apprenticeships are a great way of keeping young people off the Live Register and ensuring they gain both the qualifications and the practical experience and skills to help them build successful careers.”