4050. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of pipe fitting apprentices who registered their four year apprenticeships in 2022; the number completed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61245/26]

The Pipefitting apprenticeship is a craft apprenticeship and apprentices may be registered at any time throughout the year. To qualify for certification, a registered apprentice must complete a mandatory minimum of 208 weeks (four years) over seven alternating phases of on-the-job and off-the-job training, and successful complete all requisite assessments and/or examinations. Once all training phases have been successfully completed, validation of craft certification requires an additional processing period of 12 weeks.

While four years is the minimum duration required to complete a craft apprenticeship programme, actual completion times can vary from apprentice to apprentice due to a range of factors, including the acceptance of training places, changes of employer, repeat examinations, or other personal circumstances.

Given the fact that apprentices can register throughout the year, not all pipefitting apprentices who registered in 2022 will have completed their minimum training time of four years at this point in 2026.

Progress of the 114 Pipefitting Apprentices who registered in 2022

*In relation to the 66 apprentices actively progressing through the apprenticeship 57 of these (86%) are currently at phase 5 or beyond.

**An apprentice may decide to stop progressing in their apprenticeship programme for many reasons, including a change in personal circumstances or a desire to change employer. In the last National Survey of Apprentices, 87% reported that they are enjoying their apprenticeship experience and 94% of apprentices believe their apprenticeship will lead to good employment opportunities. This positive experience is reflected in SOLAS data which shows that on average between 90% and 92% of first year apprentices progress to their second year, figures that compare positively to other tertiary education options.

Investing in apprenticeship is a priority for me and my department. Since my department was formed in 2020, the total annual investment in apprenticeship has more than doubled from €184 million in 2020 to €415 million in 2026.

It remains my priority to continue growing and developing the apprenticeship system, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to increase annual registrations to 12,500 by 2030, with two-thirds in craft and construction-related areas. This will be supported by a new Action Plan for Apprenticeship for 2026–2030, to be published later this year.