Concern expressed over delay to apprenticeship programmes

COUNTY councillors have expressed concern over long delays experienced by people undergoing apprenticeship programmes.

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne tabled a motion before the March meeting of Mayo County Council lambasting ‘long delays being experienced by apprentices in receiving block release to attend Solas training’.

Cllr Kilcoyne said the delays raised ‘fundamental questions’ over the ability of the agency – formerly known as Fás – to carry out this training.

His motion also called on the Minister for Further and Higher Education ‘to advise Solas that these delays are unacceptable at a time when craftspeople are urgently required’.

Speaking at the recent meeting of Mayo County Council, the Independent councillor said he knew of one man who registered with Solas in 2022 who will not start his training until 2025.

“In several cases it has come to my attention that people are doing apprenticeships, say like wood manufacturing, and they are waiting almost two years,” Cllr Kilcoyne said.

Cllr John Caulfield (Fianna Fáil) said that the wages being offered were dissuading people from taking up apprenticeships.

Cllr Caulfield, who works as a painter and decorator, called for the government to provide more funding for instructors to teach apprenticeship programmes.

Fine Gael county councillor Donna Sheridan echoed concerns regarding the delays in apprenticeship programmes.

Cllr Sheridan said that ‘every effort was being made’ to address the situation, adding that Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris TD, was looking at ‘every alternative’.

Mr Harris held the position for more than two-and-a-half years before being elected as leader of the Fine Gael party.

He is expected to appoint a predecessor after he assumes the office of Taoiseach.

“It’s actually been there so long now that the minister I called upon has now become Taoiseach,” Cllr Kilcoyne said, referring to his motion before the council.