Kerry Deputy Michael Healy Rae has called for a more proactive approach in promoting trades apprenticeships to young people.
Deputy Healy Rae feels that young people should be encouraged into taking up more trades opportunities as the country prepares to hopefully open up post Covid.
Comments after Funding
He was making his comments after the government recently announced €20 million in capital funding to expand apprenticeships across the country, from electricians to plumbers, block layers to pipe-fitting.
However, Deputy Michael Healy Rae feels more will have to be done to retain the tradespeople and encourage more into those careers.
Snobbery Towards Trades
“I feel that there is almost a snobbery around some parents not wanting their sons or daughters to go into trades because they feel third level college is the be all and end all for them.
All forms of education are equally important and it is important that there is not a message sent out that by opting for a trade you are somewhat lesser important to society,” Deputy Michael Healy Rae said.
Head Hunting for Trades
The Kerry deputy has also warned that Ireland, like its neighbours in the UK, could see the fall in construction apprenticeships threatening any economic recovery.
Especially, he feels, following a year-on-year decline in construction apprenticeships in the UK and he’s predicting that many trades people in Ireland could be head hunted by UK firms, leaving the Irish construction industry struggling for workers.
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