Apprenticeship Expo Success

 

Apprenticeship Expo Success

The Apprenticeship Expo was recently held in the Knightsborook Hotel in Trim and has grown since its first outing in 2020.  With over 90 exhibitors on the day and representatives from all 66 apprenticeships, this event is the one of the biggest apprenticeship events in the country. There were close to 4,000 attendees registered across different time slots, from all over Meath, Louth and Westmeath but also had attendees from Dublin, Kildare, Cavan, and Monaghan. County Meath Chambers’ Expo is proving year on year to be the place to go to talk about all things Apprenticeships!

Coming at a time when staff shortages have hit nearly every sector in Ireland the apprenticeship expo served as an opportunity for not only employers to attract new apprenticeships but for students, parents and anyone looking to upskill to explore their options. With the expansion of the available courses, apprenticeships are a firm choice for many people looking to further their education and people also enjoy the hybrid approach of working hands-on while being educated through the multitude of apprenticeship programmes that are on offer now. SOLAS are working on a further 30 apprenticeships to bring to almost 100, the total number of apprenticeships on offer from 2024.

Paula McCaul, CEO County Meath Chamber “At this year’s Apprenticeship EXPO, there was an added focus on STEM Apprenticeship, Women in Apprenticeships and the new 2016 Apprenticeship. Companies from all over Ireland were interspersed with colleges and training adviser. We developed an Apprenticeship Expo Floorplan which was circulated in advance so that schools and attendees could prepare beforehand to make better use of their time.  Close to sixty schools visited the Apprenticeship Expo.  We are delighted with the level of engagement across the board and look forwrad to deepening the connection in 2024 ”.

Educators from various institutes around the country were on hand to give career advice and CV-clinics were made available to all attendees. Speaker sessions and panel discussions were executed every half hour and more than 30 voices including employers, apprentices and educational experts were on stage to share their experience. Subject matter experts were on hand from SOLAS, the new National Apprenticeship Office, Education and Training Board and the RSTC Dundalk with their advice.

Speaking about the event Cathaoirleach Cllr. Nick Killian said, “The Apprenticeship Expo is now a landmark event showcasing employers with apprenticeship opportunities while raising the awareness of the hundreds of earn and learn opportunities that are available across Meath and beyond. I want to congratulate and thank all those involved and wish all attendees the best of luck on their career journeys”.

The Apprenticeship Expo is organised and managed by County Meath Chamber in collaboration with, LMETB, Meath County Council, Regional Skills Training Centre Dundalk, SOLAS, INTREO and Regional Skills Mid East, North East & Dublin.