Atlantic Technological University has announced a major expansion of its apprenticeship programmes across four campuses.
Over 800 new places will be offered to students in 51 different blocks from 2024.
The expansion follows the announcement by Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris of €17 million in capital funding to respond to the growing demand for apprenticeships in the higher education sector.
ATU will receive €8.2 million from the Higher Education Authority and ATU will provide around €1.7 million, bringing the total figure to around €10 million, which will deliver 51 additional apprenticeship blocks with 816 places.
The new apprenticeships will be delivered at ATU Mayo through 12 blocks of electrical apprenticeships on its campus in Castlebar providing 192 places.
ATU Killybegs will deliver 18 blocks of electrical apprenticeships creating 288 places and ATU Letterkenny will deliver six blocks of metal fabrication apprenticeships for 96 places and three blocks of refrigeration and air conditioning apprenticeships which will have 48 places.
While ATU Sligo will deliver 12 blocks of electrical apprenticeships which will create 192 places.
The new places will bring the overall apprenticeship craft training provision in ATU to about 3,000 from next year.
Head of School of Engineering at ATU Galway-Mayo Professor Graham Heaslip said: "This investment reaffirms ATU's strong commitment to expanding the apprenticeship provision across the region, from Galway to Donegal.
"For the first time apprenticeship courses will be delivered in Killybegs and Castlebar. These additional apprenticeship places will help us grow to meet the demands of Ireland's growing apprenticeship population."
