Donegal County Councillor Liam Doherty is calling on the government to put more investment into developing the apprenticeship system in Donegal.
The Stranorlar area Sinn Fein councillor said that a failure to prioritise apprenticeships has contributed to the skills shortage facing many industries such as construction, engineering, ICT and science.
Cllr Doherty said the shortfall in training positions is affecting young people and local economic growth.
“We have so many unemployed people here and so many with great skills that just need that helping hand to get on the ladder,” he told this month’s county council meeting in Lifford.
Cllr Doherty questioned where 1,500 new apprenticeships and new programmes promised by the Department of Education last year had gone. He also called on the local authority to see the value in tradespeople.
The council agreed to write to the Minister and to explore options to hold a workshop with the ETB about the provision of more training programmes.
The local authority stated that work is ongoing to train and upskill workers in Donegal. They recognised the efforts of Donegal ETB, in conjunction with the LYIT, for their wide range of training services through apprenticeships and traineeships.
Cllr Gerry McMonagle said that it was welcome news to hear that Donegal ETB was filling apprenticeship programmes, but added that more investment is needed to expand Ireland’s skilled labour force after a decade of emigration.
“Businesses need to be encouraged more to accept apprentices,” Cllr McMonagle said, adding: “We need to be opening up as many positions in all the industries to ensure that, moving forward, Ireland can build our country up again.”
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