A free year-round telephone advice service has been launched to support future apprentices.
The National Apprenticeship Office Freephone advice helpline will see advisors on hand weekly to assist with apprenticeship queries and help those looking to find the right apprenticeship to suit their skills and interests.
The freephone line is open from noon to 6pm, Monday to Friday, offering advice to second level students, parents and career seekers.
“The freephone helpline is a great option for anyone who needs a bit of help navigating the apprenticeship system,” said Zain Kenny, an apprentice electrician with King and Moffatt in Carrick-on-Shannon.
“Access to information and a person at the end of the line can make all the difference to potential apprentices and current apprentice employers out there.”
Calling 1800 794487 offers learners a direct means to engage with career advisors with in-depth knowledge of a wide range of current national programmes.
“Apprenticeships are vital to Ireland’s future skills pool and workforce, developed in partnership with the enterprise community to create jobs where skills are needed most,” said Dr Mary Liz Trant, Director of the National Apprenticeship Office.
“The freephone number is a great tool in communicating the diversity of apprenticeship careers to all.
“It helps to provide information and guidance on the exciting range of programmes available such as tech, biopharma, construction, engineering, finance, hospitality and much more.”
Over 1,000 calls have been made to the helpline to date, which began taking calls in 2022.
“We now have 66 programmes geared around addressing critical skills gaps needed to steer Ireland’s future development,” said Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
“This helpline is a vital resource to support the needs of potential apprentices in Ireland, in accessing important information that will help them to make informed choices around their education and career aspirations.
“Not only will this helpline guide school leavers, guardians and career seekers through the apprenticeship system, but it will provide reassurance, support and relevant information to help build their future careers.”
Recent Generation Apprenticeship initiatives also include a gender-based bursary available to employers who employ apprentices from a minority gender to drive gender parity in the workplace.
Ireland’s Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 sets out a roadmap for a single apprenticeship system and a five-year strategy to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment of reaching 10,000 new apprentice registrations per year by 2025.
You can find out more on www.apprenticeship.ie or by contacting your local Education and Training Board (ETB).
