Written answer
Education and Training Provision
Galway’s apprenticeship and FET opportunities are being expanded through existing programmes, a new Mervue college campus, and the forthcoming 2026–2030 national strategy.
4224. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken by his Department to expand apprenticeship, further education and training opportunities for young people in County Galway; the additional programmes or course places planned for the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58975/26]
Comment on this
Apprenticeships are national programmes developed through collaboration between industry and education and training providers to support current and future workforce requirements. There are currently 87 apprenticeship programmes available nationally across a broad range of sectors, including construction, ICT and hospitality, with further programmes continuing to be developed.
In County Galway, apprenticeship provision is delivered by Atlantic Technological University Galway and Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB), with programmes including Manufacturing Engineering, Plumbing and Metal Fabrication.
County Galway also has a broad range of Further Education and Training (FET) provision delivered by Galway and Roscommon ETB. This includes traineeships, the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), Youthreach, Local Training Initiatives, Community Training Centres and employer-focused upskilling services.
My Department continues to invest in expanding training capacity in the county. A proposal from Galway Roscommon ETB (GRETB) is progressing under my department’s FET College Major Capital Programme. The project proposal will provide a state-of-the-art purpose-built College building, on a site owned by GRETB located adjacent to the existing Training Centre in Mervue. The development will provide a modern, sustainable, and highly visible education campus, consolidating GRETB’s FET provision within the city into a single, fit-for-purpose location.
The forthcoming National Strategy for Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning 2026-2030 will set out further measures to support the continued expansion of apprenticeship provision nationally.