Demand for apprenticeship places is on the rise, with record numbers signing up last year

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Over 8,700 people applied for apprenticeship programmes in 2023, with construction trades seeing a significant boost in numbers.

17 new courses are proposed for the year ahead, including four in the area of construction.

While a further six in areas such as firefighting and paramedics are in development.

Further and Higher Education Minister, Simon Harris says apprenticeships are important for "pathways and opportunities in education."

Minister Harris says it's also vital to meet the needs of the economy, "if we want to built the homes that we need, and if we want to meet our climate targets."

The Irish Examiner also reports that the number of female apprentices in Ireland has vastly increased.

Eight years ago there were approximately 40 female apprentices, in comparison there are over 1,000 females in various programmes today.