The number of Irish people taking on trade apprenticeships has plummeted by 86 per cent when compared to the height of the boom.
By Robert Carry
According to the organisers of the National Skills Competition, the dramatic drop in traineeships over such a short space of time is completely unprecedented.
Donal Keys, a spokesperson for the Dublin Institute of Technology’s Department of Construction Skills, said it increased concerns about the availability of skilled tradesmen in the future when construction picks up again.
“When the upturn comes, will we have the people with the skills that are needed?†he said.
There were 8,779 people registering for apprenticeships to FAS between 2004 and 2005. However, this has fallen to just 1,237 this year.
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