Homebuilder Cairn Homes is investing €10m in a new Apprenticeship Academy, which aims to enhance the long-term health and viability of the construction sector in Ireland, by addressing future skills in the industry.
The Government has identified that increasing the number of construction apprentices across the residential sector as an important part of delivering its Housing for All strategy.
Cairn said today it is committed to working with Government to tackle the challenges currently being experienced in housing supply.
The new Academy will provide several supports to incentivise new entrants into the construction industry, whether they are school leavers or workers who would like to re-skill and enter a career in construction.
The supports will also be open to existing apprentices who are currently working with a Cairn subcontractor, to support their learning and development.
Michael Stanley, the chief executive of Cairn, said that increasing housing output is integral to the country's social, economic and environmental future.
"Today over 4,000 people are working full time on Cairn's housing sites and only 160 of those are full time apprentices. Through a €10m investment in the Cairn Apprenticeship Academy, our plan is to double those apprenticeship numbers over the next five years," Mr Stanley said.
Julie Sinnamon, a non-executive director of Cairn, said today's development is an important new strategic initiative for the company.
"Working closely with our supply chain partners and education providers we want to encourage and financially support new apprenticeships. We believe that this initiative will attract many new entrants to construction, leading to long and rewarding careers," she said.
Ms Sinnamon, a former CEO of Enterprise Ireland, has been central in developing the apprenticeship initiative with Cairn's management team.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris said that increasing the number of apprenticeships is key to tackling the skills shortage the country has - especially in the construction sector.
"These apprenticeships will prove to be viable career paths for so many of our young people and will be a worthy investment for our future," the Minister said.
As part of the Academy, Cairn will engage with schools and other educational/careers institutions in order to increase participation and highlight the exciting opportunities on offer in a construction career.
