Numbers starting apprenticeships in construction sector fell last year

The variety of folks beginning apprenticeships in key trades within the development sector declined final 12 months, hampering efforts to sort out the housing disaster in line with Opposition politicians.

In whole, 1,676 folks registered as beginning apprenticeships within the development sector in 2022, which fell to 1,583 final 12 months, new figures present.

The quantity of people that undertook apprenticeships in brick and stone-laying fell from 72 to 66 final 12 months, lower than half of the 148 apprentices who went into the commerce in 2021. Registrations of recent apprenticeships in carpentry and joinery fell from 713 in 2022 to 711 final 12 months, an additional drop on the 847 apprenticeships registered within the subject in 2021.

The variety of apprenticeships registered in plastering fell from 31 in 2022 to 30 final 12 months, whereas new entrants in portray and adorning apprenticeships dropped from 23 to 17.

Nonetheless, the variety of folks beginning apprenticeships to develop into electricians elevated from 2,648 in 2022 to 2,837 final 12 months. The variety of new apprentices seeking to develop into plumbers dropped from 792 in 2022 to 739 final 12 months.

The figures have been launched by Minister for Additional and Larger Training Simon Harris, in response to a parliamentary query from Social Democrats housing spokesman Cian O’Callaghan. General the variety of new apprentices registered final 12 months elevated by 149, regardless of the drop in numbers coming into key trades within the development sector.

“We can’t anticipate to construct extra properties yearly whereas the variety of expert development apprentices continues to fall,” Mr O’Callaghan stated. “Final 12 months simply 66 folks took up apprenticeships in brick and stone laying. Evaluate this to the 475 that entered the commerce in 2006,” he stated.

One deterrent to folks opting to begin apprenticeships within the development sector was the “shockingly poor pay” within the first years on the job, the Dublin Bay North TD stated.

“Constructing tens of 1000’s of properties is the one means out of this housing disaster that’s inflicting untold stress and trauma to folks throughout Eire. This Authorities is appearing as a mere bystander as important trades in housebuilding deteriorate 12 months after 12 months,” he stated.