Minister Canney Welcomes Strong Growth in Apprenticeships Across All Sectors
Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the strong increase in apprenticeship registrations across all sectors – describing it as an important step towards meeting the Government’s target of 12,500 new apprenticeship registrations per year by 2030, as set out in the Programme for Government.
New figures from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science show that total apprenticeship registrations rose to 9,352 in 2024, up from 8,712 in 2023 – an increase of nearly 7.5% in a single year and up from 5,326 since 2020.
Overall, there are now almost 30,000 apprentices in training, compared with fewer than 20,000 in 2020 – representing a 50% increase over five years.
Growth across key sectors has been particularly strong. In the construction and construction-related trades, annual apprenticeship registrations have increased from 3,813 in 2020 to 6,319 in 2024 – a rise of more than 66%. Meanwhile, the public service apprenticeship programme has also expanded rapidly, with registrations climbing from 67 in 2022 to 165 in 2024, more than doubling in just two years.
Minister Canney said the latest figures underline the Government’s commitment to delivering high-quality training opportunities and building a skilled workforce for the future: “These numbers show that apprenticeships are now firmly established as a major pathway for education and skills. The continued growth in craft, construction and public service apprenticeships demonstrates strong confidence among both learners and employers. It’s vital that we keep building this momentum to meet the Programme for Government target of 12,500 new apprenticeships per year by 2030.”
The Minister also acknowledged the Government’s record investment in apprenticeship delivery, including funding increases in Budget 2026 to expand training capacity and reduce backlogs.