Expansion of electrical craft apprenticeship at Mayo campus

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has formally launched the expansion of the Electrical Craft Apprenticeship to its Mayo campus in Castlebar, a development that will see four additional training blocks delivered annually, and capacity increased by 192 apprentices each year.

The initiative represents a strengthening of Ireland’s national apprenticeship infrastructure at a time of sustained growth in demand for skilled electrical workers.

The expansion responds directly to rising apprentice registrations, as highlighted by SOLAS, and to employer demand across the construction and electrical sectors. Electrical craft skills are central to the delivery of the National Development Plan, including housing targets, major infrastructure projects, climate action commitments and the national energy transition.

Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin, welcomed the development:

“In 2023 significant funding of €17.04 million was approved by my Department for the Higher Education Apprenticeship Expansion Programme. This funding included almost €8.2 million to ATU, which was disbursed in 2024, with €1.345 million allocated to the Castlebar Electrical Apprenticeship Expansion.

‘I want to thank ATU for their commitment and belief in the apprenticeship programme and for insuring we have this expansion in apprenticeship training. Most importantly, it reflects our shared commitment that every learner has the chance to build a rewarding career and that every community can benefit from the skills that those learners will accrue.”

ATU President Dr. Orla Flynn said the University is committed to meeting national and regional skills needs: “The expansion of the Electrical Craft Apprenticeship to our Mayo campus is a significant step in strengthening regional access to high-quality apprenticeship education. ATU is proud to play a leading role in expanding high-demand apprenticeships right across our region, ensuring that apprentices can progress through their training in a supportive learning environment.”

Professor Graham Heaslip, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computing at ATU, highlighted the strategic importance of the investment: “This additional capacity at our Mayo campus allows us to respond directly to growing learner and employer demand, while supporting national priorities in skills development, infrastructure delivery and climate action. The recent establishment of a new School of Apprenticeships in ATU is further evidence of our strategic approach to this important activity, where we have also seen growth across our Letterkenny, Killybegs, Sligo, Connemara and Galway campuses.”

Head of campus at ATU Mayo, Dr. Justin Kerr added:

“With Ireland’s demand for electricians projected to grow in line with major infrastructure and climate commitments, the launch at ATU marks a significant step in strengthening the country’s future skills pipeline.”

The initiative aligns with Government policy to place apprenticeships at the heart of Ireland’s education and training system, as outlined in the Action Plan for Apprenticeship. It also reflects skills priorities identified by SOLAS and supports the workforce requirements of the National Development Plan.

Employers across the region are expected to benefit from improved access to training places, while current and prospective apprentices will gain greater flexibility and reduced waiting times. The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science described the expansion as a “practical and targeted response” to both immediate training pressures and long-term national workforce needs.