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THE NUMBER OF people applying for apprenticeships in Ireland has been increasing substantially over the last three years, as the construction industry recovers after shrinking during the recession.
Figures released by the government show that the number of construction apprenticeships rose from 650 in 2010 to 2,271 last year. The government expect the number of apprenticeships registered this year to reach 3,000.
There’s still some way to go before they reach 2007 levels, however, where 5,208 apprenticeships were registered.
In response to a question posed by Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy, the following breakdown of figures was given:
The increase is most apparent in the top three most popular apprenticeships: electrical, plumbing, and carpentry apprenticeships.
Here’s how the number of apprenticeships have risen in those professions over the past 3 years:
Electricians
2017, registrations up until September: 1,221
Plumbers
2017, registrations up until September: 397
Carpenters
2017, registrations up until September: 301
Catherine Murphy told TheJournal.ie that it would be a few years before these apprentices became “fully-fledged crafts people”.
“Obviously we’re lagging behind because we haven’t been training people in,” she said.
“There doesn’t seem to be enough skilled people to produce the kind of work er need to build the required number of houses.”
Murphy said that there are many skilled construction workers who travelled abroad when the recession hit, but if they were to return, then there would be an even greater demand for houses and accommodation for them.
Minister of State for Training and Skills John Halligan commented on the figures:
“We are now seeing strong growth in registrations in construction apprenticeships with 2017 registrations likely to be close to 3,000.
This is against a backdrop of a near total collapse in construction apprenticeship registrations during the crisis.
“The current growth in registrations, which is forecast to continue to 2020, offers excellent opportunities for young people to build careers and is a critical component of skills supply to a growing sector.”
Recently, the government announced that it would introduce a construction register to prove that builders are competent, as the sudden increase in activity in the construction sector coupled with the urgent need for housing has raised concerns that building standards may suffer.
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I know a lot of tradesmen after giving up the building work over the years and have since moved into factory work where there given a wage properly,they say the constant haggling for pricing jobs and paying themselves the bare minimum just to get the work is one thing but then when it comes to paying out yeah have another battle with that.its a true race to the bottom in this industry as the unions are weak.
Cant undetstand why anyone would want to get into the buildi ng trade after the celtic tiger burst. Most people i know got jobs in other areas and wouldnt go back. Sub contractors were owed a fortune by developers and were left high and dry. The bubble is getting big again.
I’m a carpenter and the problem with doing a trade is that when the economy is doing well things are great but as soon as it takes a dip we’re the first to feel the pinch. We roughly get a recession once every decade. The last one was particularly bad so we’re not due another for a few years yet. The work is hard, especially in winter and unless you’re self employed the wages are crap. It’s not worth it. I decided enough was enough a few years ago and went to University.
@Christopher Treacy: how to spot someone who doesn’t know what they’re taking about.
Except that these apprentices no longer are guaranteed a pay scale like before, once they qualify. Nowadays, the likes of blocklayers get a low ‘wage’ no matter their qualifications. Oh – and despite lower personnel costs, the cost of building has increased. Yeah, right !
@Olllie B:
A lot of that went on in the boom I know a farmer that built two houses for his kids, virtually identical houses, first in 2001 second in 2006.
The plumber charged (the farmer supplied all materials) €6,000 for the first house, but wanted €16,000 for the second, identical job.
Needless to say the plumber was one of the first to go belly up in the crash.
@Olllie B:
Your right about the copper but the farmer supplied all the pipe and fittings that was solely a Labour price. I reckon he didn’t want the job, work wasn’t scarce with him at the time so put a ridiculous price on it.
@Olllie B:
I gather from your posts your a spark (apologies if I’m wrong) but it’s interesting to note more than half apprenticeships are sparks, 3 times the number of plumbers, 4 times the Carpenters and there is almost 50 sparks for every one plasterer?
It’s currently very difficult to get any tradesmen and when they do come, prices at back at boom times
@Daily Dublin Pic: what would you be willing to pay for a tradesman.factor in they have their own transport,tools,public insurance,travel expenses,pension,holiday pay,accountant fees,tax.25euro per hour would barely even cover it
There are no reason why more building companies are not taking the modular route to building affordable homes, which don’t take so much site labour and can erect a house in a shorter timescale.
It seems to me that building methods in this country haven’t changed much since the seventies and in many cases are worse.
@Chris Kirk: it was attempted in ballymun recently, turned out way more expensive and reverted back to brick and mortar on phase two
@Vinny: Could that be because they were not designed properly and the builders were incompetent. If they can do modular in Germany then why not here also.
@Chris Kirk: it was for the council so you can be full sure there was twice as many pen pushers involved. Why is it automatically the builders fault?
@Chris Kirk: you also have to remember that modular housing sounds great but with a reduced life span for the building, the idea of having something worth while to pass onto your children after spending your working life paying for it would be gone. I don’t modular housing I want something I can leave to my kids that will benefit them going forward.
These figures are a far cry from the number registered ten years ago by FAS. Solas who replaced FAS in their wisdom almost singly handed ceased training potential employer sponsored Apprentices and have serious questions to answer for their lack of forward planning. Bring FAS back at least they delivered.
WHAT IF the government set up a scheme to start producing our own materials, rather than importing 90% from the UK, we could actually create thousand of jobs around the country whilst also setting us up post brexit. This could help builders get cheaper materials thus lowering the price they need to start building affordable housing and or even lowering the price for people to set up their own businesses on a larger scale. Just a thought.
@Ruiri o connell:
Whatever makes you think they would be cheaper to produce in Ireland?
‘Ireland is the second most expensive EU state for goods and services’
Enjoy your shit block house with no windows and radiators all over walls.
Like everything else we’re too slow to help ourselves.
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