Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) has welcomed an announcement by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, of over €20.5 million to expand apprenticeship capacity nationally.
As a key contributor to Ireland’s apprenticeship system, TU Dublin will receive €5.73 million through the Apprenticeship Expansion Programme 2024
This investment will significantly enhance the University’s capacity across its Bolton Street, Tallaght, and Blanchardstown campuses, supporting 39 additional craft training blocks and a Consortium-Led Apprenticeship (CLA) equipment project.
In total, the funding will enable TU Dublin to deliver 600 new apprenticeship training places, strengthening its role as Ireland’s largest provider of apprenticeship education.
Welcoming the announcement, Dr Deirdre Lillis, President of TU Dublin, said:
“This investment is a significant endorsement of TU Dublin’s leadership in apprenticeship education. Expanding capacity across key craft programmes and upgrading our training facilities will ensure that apprentices develop the advanced, industry-ready skills required in a rapidly changing economy. These enhancements will not only support national skills needs and drive economic growth, but also strengthen TU Dublin’s role in providing high-quality, practice-based education across our campuses.”
Expanding Apprenticeship Capacity Across Key Sectors
TU Dublin will strengthen and expand its Carpentry & Joinery Apprenticeship at Linenhall, Bolton Street, to meet strong regional demand and address the current gap in Phase 4 and Phase 6 training in Greater Dublin. On the University’s Tallaght campus, Electrical Apprenticeship provision will increase by 18 blocks annually by 2028, representing a 42 per cent rise and reflecting recent sustained national growth of 7-8 per cent per year. TU Dublin will continue to play a leading role in delivering Phase 4 and Phase 6 training in this area.
Significant investment in Bolton Street will also modernise the Motor Mechanics Apprenticeship, providing state-of-the-art equipment to support training in the servicing, maintenance, and fault diagnosis of cars and light commercial vehicles. In Blanchardstown, the capacity for the Plumbing Apprenticeship will grow by 75 per cent by 2028, with nine additional blocks offered each year.
TU Dublin will also double capacity for the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Apprenticeship in Tallaght, adding three new blocks annually from 2025/26, supporting rising skills needs across construction, logistics, food production, and data centres, as well as national heat pump targets.
At Linenhall, Bolton Street, the Wood Manufacturing and Finishing Apprenticeship will expand by 33 per cent, with three extra blocks introduced annually by 2028, at a time when national registrations have been growing at a similar rate since 2019, underscoring strong industry demand.
Finally, through a Consortia-Led Apprenticeship investment, the Industrial Electrical Engineering Apprenticeship in Tallaght will receive advanced new equipment, ensuring apprentices train with up-to-date automation and digital technologies, supporting national skills requirements.
