Questions have been asked as to how apprenticeship programmes can be supported and encouraged at a local authority and other public sector levels in Co Monaghan.
Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Cllr Sean Conlon believes that apprenticeships offer many opportunities to both employers and potential apprentices.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Cllr Conlon has called on steps to be taken that will improve the situation.
With a commitment through the Goverment's Action Plan for Apprenticehips 2021-2025 to achieve 750 annual public service apprenticeships registrations, Cllr Conlon called on this model to be sent to the HR department at Monaghan County Council in a bid to see how the local authority can play a positive role in increasing the number of skilled trades men and women.
Cllr Conlon highlighted how there are no barriers to local authorities recruiting for posts through the use of apprenticeships, or for upskilling existing staff through a number of programmes:
