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Ministers Lawless, Foley, and Harkin announce launch of new Social Care apprenticeship at UCC and MTU
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, Marian Harkin TD, today announced a new and exciting Social Care apprenticeship, which will provide 55 additional training places for social care workers from September 2026.
The Social Care apprenticeship, which follows an earn while you learn model, was developed in response to the growing and critical demand for qualified social care professionals. It combines paid work-integrated learning with off-the-job education jointly delivered by University College Cork and Munster Technological University. The three-year programme leads to a Level 8 degree qualification. The new Social Care apprenticeship model provides a sustainable pathway to expand the national workforce, by combining structured academic learning with supervised on‑the‑job experience. It has been approved by CORU, Ireland's multi-profession health and social care regulator and is overseen by a consortium led by the Social Care All-Employer Forum. The apprenticeship is now open for recruitment with positions advertised in Tusla Child and Family Agency, and positions with Oberstown Children Detention Campus and the Health Service Executive opening early next week. Details can be viewed at:
https://www.ucc.ie/en/apprenticeships/basocialcare/apprenticeshipvacancies/
This programme forms part of a wider suite of apprenticeships set to launch in 2026, which are expected to become an increasingly important source of talent for public service recruitment as well as support the Government’s target of 12,500 apprentice registrations per annum by 2030.
Minister Lawless said:
“I am delighted to launch the new Social Care apprenticeship in Cork today, delivered jointly by UCC and MTU. This marks an important step in broadening our apprenticeship system, meeting critical skills needs while opening new pathways into Social Care.
"The earn-while-you-learn model combines practical experience with accredited learning, ensuring apprentices graduate with the skills, confidence and compassion needed to support people with complex needs and build rewarding careers. It also offers a flexible and accessible route for those already working in the sector, or with family and financial commitments, to upskill and progress.”
Minister Foley said:
“Social care workers play a vital role across essential services, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. This new Social Care apprenticeship opens up an entirely new route into the profession, offering an earn while you learn pathway. It is a strong example of the apprenticeship model in action – responding directly to workforce needs, combining academic learning with supervised workplace experience, and widening access to careers in social care. With nearly 700 graduates qualifying each year through existing routes, the addition of 55 apprenticeship places annually represents a significant and targeted increase in workforce capacity, supporting the development of a more diverse, skilled and sustainable social care workforce.”
Minister Harkin said:
“This new apprenticeship represents a significant shift in how we enable access to careers in social care. Traditionally, entry routes relied almost exclusively on Leaving Certificate results. By embedding Recognition of Prior Learning, the programme recognises the value of lived experience, community engagement, and non‑formal learning. This approach will help develop a more diverse and representative social care workforce, one that better reflects and understands the communities it serves.”
Speaking at the launch, Tusla CEO Kate Duggan commented;
“Social Care workers are crucial to our organisation, and we are delighted to offer 50 apprenticeships that will allow the successful applicants to be fully employed by Tusla, and receive invaluable on-the-job experience and mentoring. The initiative reflects our commitment to staff recruitment and development, which is an integral to our People Strategy in terms of attracting, retaining and growing a diverse and capable workforce."
Professor John O’Halloran, President of UCC said:
“Building on the success of the Social Work apprenticeship and our commitment to widening access to education, UCC is delighted to launch the Social Care apprenticeship with MTU and welcome apprentices to our community. UCC is a leader in work-integrated learning, empowering students to put research-based learning into practice. Living out our core values, we are proud of the contribution our Social Care graduates will make to the lives of children and adults most excluded in Irish society.”
Professor Maggie Cusack, President of MTU said:
“MTU is proud to partner with UCC on the launch of the new Social Care Apprenticeship, an important development in how we educate the future social care workforce in Ireland. This CORU-approved programme reflects the strength of collaboration across the higher education sector and our shared commitment to creating more inclusive pathways into health and social care professions. As a university deeply connected to the needs of our communities across Cork and Kerry, MTU is committed to education that responds directly to national priorities and workforce needs. We look forward to continuing this important collaboration with UCC, employers, and government partners.”