The first wide-scale survey of apprentices in five years has been launched by the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO). The 28,000+ apprentice population across Ireland have been invited by the NAO to share their experiences of 77 national apprenticeship programmes.

Insights gathered from the survey will be used to shape the future of apprenticeships in Ireland and to ensure the apprenticeship system continues to meet the needs of apprentices and employers into the future.

Over recent years there has been significant expansion of the apprenticeship system as part of the Government’s Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025. Over 50 new apprenticeships have been introduced to meet Ireland’s skills needs, spanning areas that include advanced manufacturing, tech, farming, horticulture, civil engineering, finance and social work.

The survey seeks to gather feedback from apprentices on their experiences in the workplace and in college. The survey is now live today, Monday, 14 October and will close on Monday, 04 November 2024. Each of the 28,000+ apprentices in training will receive an email with the survey link, inviting them to participate.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Dr Mary Liz Trant, Director of the National Apprenticeship Office said: “We are so pleased to launch today our national survey of apprentices, who are at the heart of our apprenticeship system. We would like every apprentice to take the 12 minutes or so to respond. The insights we gather will be key in shaping the experience of apprentices now and in the future.”

Dr Michelle Foley, Statistics Manager in the National Apprenticeship Office added: “The national survey of apprentices provides a really important opportunity for apprentices to tell us about their experiences and to contribute towards a very valuable piece of research. It will inform training for our apprentice community and skilled workers. I encourage all apprentices across the 77 Generation Apprenticeship programmes to take the time to complete the survey and share their experience of training as an apprentice.”

Find more information on the survey and on apprenticeships at apprenticeship.ie.

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