📣Exciting news! We're happy to share a new digital tool to help prospective apprentices, current apprentices & employers to discover off-the-job training locations for craft apprentices.
📲This new tool will enable users to quickly & easily see where off-the-job training takes place for each craft apprenticeship, and at every phase of training, offering a clear overview of training centre locations.
🔎The digital tool will help apprentices & employers to keep informed about where training may take place for their chosen trade.
📲Access the new tool at our link in bio or on our website here➡️tinyurl.com/ywpce9fj
💁Learn more about the tool: bit.ly/4wvdRSg
We hope you find this tool helpful. Try it out now at the link above!
#GenerationApprenticeship
I was delighted to be in Cork today with my colleague Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, @normafoleytd to launch a new and exciting Social Care apprenticeship, which will provide 55 additional training places for social care workers from September 2026.
The Social Care apprenticeship, which follows an earn while you learn model, was developed in response to the growing and critical demand for qualified social care professionals. It combines paid work-integrated learning with off-the-job education jointly delivered by @universitycollegecork and @mtu_ie .
The three-year programme leads to a Level 8 degree qualification. The new Social Care apprenticeship model provides a sustainable pathway to expand the national workforce, by combining structured academic learning with supervised on-the-job experience, It has been approved by CORU, Ireland’s multi-profession health. and social care regulator and is overseen by a consortium led by the Social Care All-Employer Forum.
The apprenticeship is now open for recruitment with positions advertised in Oberstown Children Detention Campus, and Tusla Child and Family Agency, Oberstown Children Detention Campus and the Health Service Executive.
📣The National Apprenticeship Office and SOLAS, in collaboration with Apprenticeship partners and training providers are delighted to share an update on the Craft Transfer Plan 2026, now available to view at https://bit.ly/3DkZBlX.
🛠️Under the Craft Transfer Plan:
🟢responsibility for developing the curriculum and assessing craft apprentices will move from SOLAS to education providers, and
🟢responsibility for awarding the national craft awards will move from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to the Technological Universities.
ℹ️Find out more about the Craft Transfer Plan in our latest news items, accompanying newsletter and FAQ detailing more about the transition and steps to progress the plan: bit.ly/4uNpQco
#GenerationApprenticeship
📣Women are shaking up the future of Apprenticeship.
🎓Empowering the next generation of young women in Ireland’s workforce, "Women Shaking Up the Future" is a national campaign that positions apprenticeships as a first-choice post-secondary option for young women.
♀️This campaign highlights the experiences of real women and real possibilities for long term careers through apprenticeships, while encouraging more women to explore #GenerationApprenticeship career pathways to power up their future career.🚀
▶️In this video, we hear from some of the incredible women apprentices who are building success with Apprenticeship and inspiring the next generation of women to reach their potential.
Read more about the campaign➡️bit.ly/4eJVMJV
🔎Explore over 80+ exciting careers with Apprenticeship at apprenticeship.ie
#WomenShakingUpTheFuture
Delighted to support the launch of the ‘Women Shaking Up the Future’ campaign at Maryfield College, Dublin.
This is an important initiative encouraging more young women to explore apprenticeships and the wide range of opportunities available across sectors including construction, engineering and technology.
Great also to see the leadership shown by Maryfield College, SOLAS, the National Apprenticeship Office and Rose of Tralee 2025 Katelyn Cummins ( @kkatelyncummins ) in promoting more inclusive pathways for young people.
@dept_fheris@apprenticesirl
📣RUOK?
💬We're proud to share an important message from our #RUOK? campaign this #MentalHealthWeek, reminding all across our #GenerationApprenticeship community to check in on each other, and to ask #RUOK?
🗣️As #MentalHealthWeek begins, we encourage all across our #GenerationApprenticeship community to have open conversations around their #MentalHealth, so we can reduce stigma, and improve wellbeing in the workplace, and to recognise the strength of intergenerational connections within Apprenticeships.
❤️🩹Remember, it's okay not to be okay - and support is always there - simply start the conversation. #MentalHealthMatters
💁 Please help us to share this video to highlight the importance of engaging in conversations around our mental health, and signposting where #RUOK Supports are available from @mentalhealthireland@samaritansirl@irish_eba@irishhealthservice Text 50808, & @thelighthouse_club@health_and_safety_authority : bit.ly/3ICt5RG: bit.ly/3ICt5RG
#GenerationApprenticeship
'Let's hear it for the apprentices'
As a qualified blacksmith and welder, Caoimhe Winn is bringing her existing skills to the Irish School of Farriery to complete an apprenticeship in Farriery, turning her passion for horses into a rewarding career.
For apprentices like Caoimhe, being a farrier is more than just a job, it's a calling. It's a profession that can be physically demanding yet rewarding, with many graduates of the programme now running sucessful farriery businesses both in Ireland and abroad post qualification.
Caoimhe is one of just two female farriery apprentices training currently, gaining access to practical skills building in forging, welding, horseshoeing and horse management. Practical work-ready skills are enhanced by additional learning in the classroom, developing key knowledge on physiology, equine studies, computer and business studies - important skills needed to set the modern day Farrier up for success.
'During my time in college, I've learned many valuable forging and blacksmithing skills thanks to the guidance of my tutors' says Caoimhe.
'I also gained a strong understanding of equine anatomy, especially the structure and function of the horses' lower limb... and studying the different types of shoeing required across various disciplines in the industry.'
'From racehorses to carriage horses, every area is covered, and each brings its own unique challenges and techniques... and I really enjoy learning from the tutors and sharing different ways of approaching challenges'.
Read more about the Farriery apprenticeship and what it entails in this article: bit.ly/4njvLU0 or visit apprenticeship.ie to learn more about this career path and programme.
#GenerationApprenticeship
📣 Congratulations to Petra O Flaherty, Stonecutting & Stonemasonry apprentice, winner of the 'Screwfix Apprentice of the Year 2026'!🏆
👩🏭Originally from Blessington, Wicklow, Petra is the first registered female stonemason in Ireland in more than 30 years, honing exceptional #GenerationApprenticeship skills and developing her craft with Kerry Education and Training Board and #OFlahertyStone, where she is excelling in her #career.⚒️👩🏭🏛️
⚒️An eighth generation Stone Mason, Petra shares a keen passion for working with Irish stone, and acts as a proud #GenerationApprenticeship ambassador for the Government's #BuildingHeroesIrl campaign to encourage more women and men into rewarding careers in #Construction where their skills are in demand.
🏆Petra beat out competition from over 3,000 apprentices across the UK and Ireland to win the prestigious title, awarded with a €10,000 prize package of tools, training and technology to enhance her career, and €2,000 in vouchers for her college in #Kerry. 👏👏
♀️One of the 3000+ female apprentices in training building successful careers with Apprenticeships, Petra hopes that her inspiring journey and achievement will encourage others to consider apprenticeships and careers in traditional crafts, especially young women.
🎉Wishing warmest congratulations to Petra on this incredible achievement, proof of the exceptional talent, skills and achievements made by Ireland's growing community of women apprentices.👏👏
📰 Read more about her exciting win here: bit.ly/4eDMtLH and learn more women shaking up the future of Apprenticeships and opportunities for women with Apprenticeship on our website here: bit.ly/4uzDQGA
#GenerationApprenticeship #FactsFacesFutures #WomenInTrades
📣We are delighted to announce the release of the new 'Being Disability-Inclusive in the Workplace: Guidance for Apprenticeship Employers' resource, a collaborative guide developed by @AHEAD and the National Apprenticeship Office to support greater inclusion in the workplace.
🔎 Coinciding with #InternationalLabourDay and celebrating the concept that Apprenticeships are for All, we are proud to share the
'Being Disability-Inclusive in the Workplace: Guidance for Apprenticeship Employers' resource, now available to view and download on our website here: bit.ly/3PjCz7y
ℹ️This important guide, encourages employers to take practical steps towards building an inclusive workplace and features:
📊Facts about disability and employment
📜Real stories of disabled apprentices
✅ Practical actions employers can take to remove barriers
💁 Links to external resources and funding info
👉 Find out more and download the guide here: https://bit.ly/4utRNG3
#GenerationApprenticeship
📣 Time to put a🔦spotlight on the final winners of our #GenerationApprenticeship Second Level Schools & Centres Competition 2026!🔦
🔦We're delighted to share this award-winning competition project by Dariah Woodhouse & Noah Lee, 5th year students of North Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School, Bray, winning a national award in the 'A-design' (Virtual) category!🔦
🏆Putting a spotlight on Wicklow talent, the students developed a unique design on Procreate for iPad, of an activist and business person shaking hands in an 'A' formation to symbolise the need for the activist and business worlds to come together to create solutions to greener futures.
🌎The message that forms the image & design is that climate action is important - and it has entered the current and future workplace through apprenticeships. People who were not as concerned about sustainability before now face it head-on, with the Farm Technician, Arboriculture & Wood Manufacturer apprenticeships examples of how apprenticeships meet the business world, to create green, sustainable careers and futures.🤝
🏆 “We are incredibly proud and grateful to have won an award in the Generation Apprenticeship second level schools and centres competition 2026", said Dariah and Noah on winning their award.
"Our project gave us a chance to show how apprenticeships can create greener, more sustainable careers, and we are proud that our work is helping to shine a light on positive changes apprenticeships make to support Ireland’s green future.”
“This experience has shown us that apprenticeships are a valuable option for beginning our careers after finishing school. It has also inspired us to keep pursuing innovative solutions and continue advocating for environmentally-friendly practices in every aspect of our learning and future careers.”
🏆Wishing a BIG congratulations to Noah and Dariah on their award win - take a look at their amazing prize-winning design in the images below.
🎉Congratulations to all of the amazing schools & centres who took part in the competition this year - and we can't wait to see more fantastic competition entries next year!
#GenerationApprenticeship
@nwetss_bray@dept_fheris
📣 Time to put a🔦spotlight on the next talented group of #GenerationApprenticeship Second Level Schools & Centres Competition Winners 2026!🔦
🔦We're proud to share this award-winning competition entry to our second-level schools & centres competition, created by two talented 3rd year students at Oatlands College, Mount Merrion!🔦
🏆Impressing competition judges with their unique podcast entry and animated video, students Ivan Lawlor and Miko Bautista demonstrated ways in which apprenticeships offer green, sustainable career paths for Ireland’s school leavers and can shape the next generation of skills talent in Ireland.
🏆"Winning this award means so much to the both of us." said Ivan and Miko, after receiving the award from the National Apprenticeship Office in their school this week.
"Our project gave us a chance to show how apprenticeships can create greener, more sustainable careers, and we are proud that our work is helping to shine a light on positive changes apprenticeships make to support Ireland’s green future.”
“This experience has shown us that apprenticeships are a valuable option for beginning our careers after finishing school. It has also inspired us to keep pursuing innovative solutions and continue advocating for environmentally-friendly practices in every aspect of our learning and future careers.”
🏆Wishing a BIG congratulations to Ivan and Miko, and well done to our incredible 2026 award winners, and all 22 schools and centres who entered the competition this year!
➡️Learn more about the competition and winning schools and centres: https://apprenticeship.ie/news-events/news/ga-competition-2026-winners
#GenerationApprenticeship
📣𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 with #GenerationApprenticeship
🛤️As key CAO dates approach, there's no better time for 6th year students to reflect on ALL of the exciting options available to them as they determine their next steps after finishing school.
👩🏻🔧Meet Sarah Daly, Electrical apprentice @king_moffatt , sharing an important reminder for students not to second guess their ambitions or career choices, and to follow their own path, and 'just do it'.
🚀 YOU have the power to determine the route you take, and to pave your own path towards a bright and successful future.
Think #GenerationApprenticeship.
🔎 Visit 'cao.ie/options' to explore 81 exciting and diverse careers with Apprenticeships, and get ready to shake up your future with #GenerationApprenticeship.
@sarahdaly100@womeninconstructionireland
