Simon Harris, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science, officially opened a brand-new €4 million apprenticeship facility at TUS Athlone in June, almost doubling the campus's existing capacity and enabling the training of electrical apprentices for the first time. Minister Harris is pictured with TUS President, Prof Vincent Cunnane. Photo: Nathan Cafolla.

TUS expands apprenticeships with 190 more places to be offered in Athlone

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The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has announced that it will significantly expand its apprenticeship offering, driven by the development of additional capacity on its Athlone campus and the imminent opening of a new Coonagh Campus in Limerick.

This expansion will bring the total number of apprentices at TUS to 2,200.

On the Athlone campus, a further 192 apprenticeship places are to be added across electrical and plumbing. The Coonagh Campus will make 384 new electrical apprenticeship places available in Limerick, which is a doubling of current numbers.

"We are delighted to be expanding our apprenticeship offering in line with the growing demand for skilled workers in the construction and engineering sectors," TUS President, Professor Vincent Cunnane, said.

"This expansion will enable us to play a more significant role in addressing the skills shortage and ensuring that we have the talent required to drive economic growth in the Midlands and Midwest regions."

In addition, TUS said it was also committed to providing access to apprenticeships for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The university's 'Access to Apprenticeship' programme provides support and guidance to these individuals, helping them to prepare for apprenticeships and succeed in their chosen careers.

The 'Access to Apprenticeship' programme is being extended, from the Moylish campus in Limerick, to the Athlone campus, with the number of places across the university doubling.

This expansion will provide even more opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to access apprenticeships and pursue rewarding careers across the construction and engineering sectors.

"We are committed to breaking down barriers to apprenticeships and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed in their chosen field," TUS Engineering Apprenticeship Coordinator Dr Diarmuid Ó Briain said.

"The expansion of the 'Access to Apprenticeship' programme to Athlone is a significant step forward in our efforts to make apprenticeships more accessible to all."

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