Major capital funding for east Mayo education centre
Mayo, Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETD) has been awarded €406,875 for capital works on the Charlestown ETB building.
This will allow MSLETB to build capacity and expand its current intake of electrical apprenticeships.
Welcoming the news, Mayo Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon said: "This further evidence of the government’s commitment to enhancing and expanding the apprenticeship system.
“This funding will ensure that MSLETB continues to provide quality, sought-after qualifications which will further strengthen and sustain a myriad of much-needed professions in key industries.
“Today’s investment is key to responding to the growth in apprenticeship numbers across the western region.
“Last year, we recorded the highest number of apprenticeships ever. Over the course of the next few years, we will need to continue to adapt our infrastructure to adapt to these growing numbers.
“Craft apprentice registrations have experienced a marked increase in interest over the past four years with a record 8,607 new apprentices registered in 2021.
“This development will benefit government policy including the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021 – 2025, Housing for All and the National Retrofit Plan.
“The support announced today will go some way towards addressing the capacity needs across the craft apprenticeships, particularly in the electrical, plumbing and metal fabrication programmes.
"It is anticipated that in excess of 15,000 apprentices will be trained in 2022, an increase of some 34% on those training in 2019.“
The €17.2 million announced today by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, and Minister of State for Skills and Further Education, Niall Collins, builds on the €20 million Apprenticeship Capital Fund investment in 2021 across both the further and higher education sectors.
Funding will be allocated by SOLAS and the HEA across education and training boards (ETBs), institutes of technology and technological universities with the main focus on Phase 2, particularly for electrical.