Ahead of students receiving their CAO offers this Wednesday, they should also consider the options available to them on the apprenticeship route. 

That's according to National Apprenticeship Office Director Dr Mary-Liz Trant, who told On the Record with Gavan Reilly there has been a boom in apprenticeships. 

“There are 72 programmes, and they now range in areas like tech, sales, finance, biopharma,” she said. 

“They go all the way to PhD level. 

“If someone is interested in business and finance, you can do a degree via the app route – International Financial Services for example.” 

Dr Trant also said 50,000 construction jobs are needed to build all the necessary housing by 2030 – and apprenticeships will also make this happen. 

“The construction industry and engineering have really modernised, and it remains a huge part of apprenticeship systems,” she said. 

“It's a job, it’s a salary, it’s getting that real practical experience while also getting a qualification.” 

Apprentice butcher. Image: Rainer Klotz / Alamy Stock Photo

Institute of Guidance Counsellors President Tadgh Crowley said there hasn’t been enough emphasis on learning with your hands. 

“It's because historically in the Irish education system, there’s been so much emphasis placed on the three Rs, on rote learning and going to university at the end of school,” he said. 

“If people look into [apprenticeships] and get the facts straight, they see they’re being paid to train and there are so many supports.” 

'The college experience is inflated'

A big part of going to college is the independence and social lives many people expect – but Mr Crowley said that experience is overestimated. 

“The whole idea of the college experience is inflated – people need to look at exactly what it means,” he said. 

“[Apprentices] can have experiences with workmates, with other people who are apprentices.” 

Dr Trant explained all apprenticeships are now available to learn about through the main CAO website. 

“Further education options, higher education, the academic route as well as apprenticeships are all there right in front of them and they can look at all those choices,” she said. 

“It's not as streamlined as the classic CAO option – but there’s a lot of work going in to increasing visibility.” 

Women apprentices

Work is also being done to engage more young women in the apprenticeship life. 

“About five years ago, there were 26 women apprentices,” Dr Trant said.  

“Last year, we had nearly 1,000 applications. 

“Girls are interested in construction and engineering... and it’s really important the range of subjects is there [in secondary school].” 

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