Calling All Apprentices National Craft Apprenticeship Survey is Now Live

Connect Union has launched a national survey targeting craft apprentices, the findings of which will shape the agenda for the inaugural National Apprenticeship Summit on 27th September 2024. This strategic initiative directly addresses critical challenges within Ireland's apprenticeship system, which are increasingly impacting the stability and growth of the construction sector and broader economic development. The survey aims to quantify systemic issues, including apprentices being remunerated below the national minimum wage, experiencing protracted delays in college-based training, and facing exploitation. These conditions are reportedly driving skilled individuals out of the trades or into emigration, exacerbating existing labour shortages crucial for ambitious housebuilding targets and overall economic expansion. For senior construction executives and policymakers, the forthcoming summit and its foundational data will provide essential insights into workforce sustainability. Understanding these challenges is paramount for developing strategic interventions to safeguard the pipeline of skilled labour, ensuring future project delivery and national infrastructure objectives are met amidst escalating demographic and economic pressures. The summit’s outcomes will therefore be critical in formulating sustainable strategies for talent attraction and retention within a sector vital to national prosperity. Read More