Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney has welcomed the continued strength of apprenticeship participation in Clare and Limerick, with figures showing that 2,293 apprentices are currently registered with the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB).
The figures were provided to the Clare TD by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, in response to a parliamentary question from Deputy Cooney.
LCETB recorded 728 new apprentice registrations in 2025, compared with 733 in 2024 and 642 in 2023, demonstrating that registration levels have remained consistently strong in recent years following a period of substantial growth.
Deputy Cooney said the figures show that apprenticeships have become an increasingly important and established pathway into skilled employment.
“While new registrations have remained steady over the past number of years, that stability comes after a period of very significant growth in apprenticeship participation,” he said.
“The fact that almost 730 people began apprenticeships in 2025 shows that apprenticeships continue to be a popular and attractive option for both school leavers and those looking to develop new skills and career opportunities.”
Deputy Cooney said apprenticeships are now firmly established as a mainstream route into employment and training.
“Apprenticeships allow people to earn while they learn and to build long-term careers in sectors where skills are in high demand. The continued strong level of registrations demonstrates the confidence that both employers and apprentices have in these programmes.”
LCETB delivers apprenticeship training across a wide range of programmes including electrical, plumbing, carpentry and joinery, motor mechanics, aircraft mechanics, manufacturing, refrigeration and air conditioning, and accounting technician, among others.
Deputy Cooney also highlighted the significant growth in apprenticeship participation nationally over the past five years, supported by continued Government investment, with annual apprenticeship funding now standing at €415 million.
“Nationally, apprentice registrations have increased by 78% since 2020, and the Government has set an ambitious target of reaching 12,500 new registrations annually by 2030,” Deputy Cooney said.
“The strong and consistent figures we are seeing through LCETB show that Clare and the wider region are playing their part in that success story. The priority now is to continue supporting apprentices and employers while ensuring training capacity can meet future demand across construction, engineering, manufacturing and many other sectors.”