Vacancies for National Apprenticeship Office

About the National Apprenticeship Office

The National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) is a joint body established by SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority on behalf of Government to manage, oversee and develop all aspects of the apprenticeship system. The Office is also responsible for implementing the national Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025. The Office acts as a single point of contact for employers, apprentices and providers in accessing information and guidance on apprenticeship.

The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 was published in 2021 by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Following a seven-year period of expansion 2014-2021, the Action Plan sets out a roadmap for a single integrated system of apprenticeship nationally. There are over 60 actions in the Plan, covering core objectives on the quality and positive status of apprenticeships nationally; ensuring strong industry involvement; enhanced equity of access to apprenticeship opportunities; and a single cohesive apprenticeship system which includes ‘migration’ of 25 craft apprenticeships to a consortium-led model.

Currently, there are over 28,400 apprentices training in Ireland, on 77+ programmes, employed by 9,500+ employers. Over 40 education and training providers around the country are involved in off-the-job training of apprentices. The Action Plan includes targets for apprenticeship registrations over the coming years; it is intended that there will be 10,000 apprentice registrations per annum by 2025. There is a pipeline of up to 25 proposed new apprenticeship programmes which are either in-development or at initial proposal stage.

Since the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) was set up in 2022, implementation of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship has advanced significantly. The NAO has published two annual reports to-date, these are available online.

The NAO is currently advertising for a Project Officer to support delivery of coordinating provider functions within craft apprenticeships, and migration of craft apprenticeships to the consortium-led model. Further details on the post and how to apply are set out below.

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