The number of people enrolled as apprentice agricultural mechanics in 2017 reported a slight increase on the previous year, the latest apprenticeship figures show.
A total of 148 apprentice agri mechanics came on board in 2016; this figure increased slightly to 152 by August 31, 2017.
The number of apprentice agri mechanics makes up less than 1.5% of the total number of apprenticeships taken on across the board each year.
In relation to the motor sector, agri mechanics make up approximately 6.5% of the total number of apprentices taken on within the sector.
The figures released by the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, John Halligan, also showed that no female agri mechanics have been taken on in either 2016 or up until August 31 in 2017.
Minister Halligan released the figures in a written response to a parliamentary question on Thursday, September 21.
There is a total of 76 more apprentices taken on across the motor sector in 2017 (up until the end of August) than there was in the entirety of last year. This equates to an increase of just over 3%.
Meanwhile, across all sectors the total number of apprentices hired this year up until the end of August has surpassed figures for the whole of 2016 by 1,367 – or a jump of about 13%.
The number of female apprentices hired remains significantly low across the board. A total of just 30 female apprentices were taken on this year alone. Figures for 2016 showed that these statistics only improved by an additional three to 33.
A significant boost in funding in relation to apprenticeship training was cited as a contributing factor for the increase in apprenticeship numbers this year by Minister Halligan.
“A total of €69.6 million was spent on apprenticeship training in 2016.
“A budget allocation of €98.7 million has been made available for apprenticeship training in 2017, an increase of over 40%,” he concluded.
