Action plan for education to prioritise growth areas of the economy.

A new government plan will increase significantly the number of people registering for apprenticeship and training schemes in response to the growing economy.  The Action plan for education aims to create 100 new apprenticeship schemes and 50 new traineeship programmes by 2020, as well as increasing access to work experience for higher level students.  The move is designed to ensure there is adequate training for job opportunities in growth areas of the economy in the years ahead, rather than the traditional reliance on apprenticeships in construction.

The Action plan for education was launched by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Education Richard Bruton and Minister of State at the Department of Skills, John Halligan. Mr Bruton said the changes would see 50 000 people registering for apprenticeship or trainee schemes by 2020, as well as a 25% increase in the number of higher level students who have access to work experience.

The projected number of apprenticeships at the end of this year is 11 025, with the expected number of traineeships expected to stand at 47 489.

Mr Halligan said there needed to be increased focus on apprenticeships to respond to the changing employment needs of a growing economy.

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