IRISH APPRENTICES may be able to finish their training while working in the UK because of growing construction unemployment, Fás has said.
The number of new apprentices in construction has fallen by more than half in the 12 months up to May, while apprentice electrician numbers have fallen by a third.
Currently, apprentices complete their training in Fás-approved courses in six phases: three in training centres and three more working on the job.
However 1,264 have been made redundant during their training in the year to June 20th, Fás director general Rody Molloy told an Oireachtas committee.
He said employers are to be prevented from sacking apprentices and replacing them with new, cheaper entry-level replacements.
The scale of the problems now evident in the building industry was illustrated by statistics produced by Mr Molloy and other Fás executives. In the year to May 2007, 545 apprentice plumbers were taken on, while just 253 were hired in the subsequent 12 months. Similarly, 641 young carpenters were recruited in the year to May 2007, while just 289 were taken in the year since – a drop of 55 per cent.
Mr Molloy was closely questioned about the impact of the economic slowdown during a two-hour meeting with the Oireachtas Enterprise, Trade and Employment Committee.
