Busting the Apprenticeship Stigma in Ireland

For too long, apprenticeships and trades in Ireland have been seen as the "second-best" option. Let's be clear: that outdated attitude is dead wrong. A career in the trades is high-skilled, in-demand, and rewarding – and it's time everyone (young people, parents, educators, and even tradespeople themselves) recognizes it.

Why Does the Stigma Exist?

Old-school thinking is largely to blame. For decades, many believed the only path to success was a university degree. Ireland became obsessed with college degrees – so much so that a former education minister admitted this obsession led many to discount apprenticeships altogether. Sociologists have noted an "educational snobbery" at play: parents loved the idea of a cap-and-gown graduation as a status symbol, and anything else seemed less prestigious. No surprise, then, that Ireland sends one of the highest proportions of its school-leavers to university of any EU country – even if many of those graduates end up overqualified for the jobs they find.

This stigma painted trades as a "fallback" for those who couldn't cut it academically. Guidance counsellors pushed college by default, and apprenticeships got pitched as Plan B. The result? Generations overlooking the trades despite the real opportunities they offer. Thankfully, attitudes are finally starting to change – but we need to push harder to bury the stigma for good.

Earn and Learn vs. Degree and Debt

One of the boldest advantages of apprenticeships is captured by the phrase "earn and learn." Instead of burning cash on tuition and racking up debt, apprentices get paid while they train. By contrast, pursuing a typical college route often means years of expenses and loans before ever earning a full salary.

Consider the facts:

• No Heavy Debt: A four-year college degree in Ireland can cost families anywhere from about €20,000 up to €60,000 (including fees, accommodation, and living expenses). An apprentice avoids most of these costs, earning a wage from day one instead of paying out.
• Money in the Bank: By the time a college student graduates, an apprentice has been earning for several years. In Ireland, over 90% of apprentices who qualified in 2020 had a job two years later, with a median wage of €935 per week – steady income with zero student loans attached.
• Higher Starting Pay: By year four, an apprentice can be making more than €20 an hour (in trades like electrical) – roughly a €52,000 annual salary once fully qualified. Compare that to university graduates, who have an average starting salary of about €34,000 after getting their degree (and many of them had to pay for the privilege). In other words, a newly qualified tradesperson can out-earn a new college grad by a wide margin. And while that grad is hoping to land a job, the apprentice is already an experienced professional in their field.

By year four of their journey, an apprentice isn't slogging through entry-level limbo or sending out CVs – they're fully qualified, earning solid money, and have zero college debt hanging over them. Meanwhile, their university peers might be finishing college owing tens of thousands and facing a crowded job market. It's a stark comparison: earn-and-learn versus pay-and-pray (pay for college and pray for a decent job). The old myth that tradespeople earn less or "settle" for lower wages is just that – a myth. In fact, many modern apprentices even finish with a formal qualification (some at degree level) and years of work experience, giving them a major head start.

Skills Shortages: Ireland (and the World) Needs Tradespeople

If you think trades are a dead-end, think again. The Irish economy desperately needs skilled tradespeople – and so does the global market. There's a growing wave of retirements and booming construction and infrastructure demands, leading to serious shortages of workers in the trades.

In Ireland, construction firms are sounding the alarm: 73% of Irish construction companies say the lack of skilled labour is their number one challenge. You can see the impact everywhere – from the housing shortage to delayed infrastructure projects. To meet Ireland's ambitious housing and climate targets, experts estimate about 50,000 new entrants into skilled trades will be needed in the coming years. The government itself knows we "need thousands more workers" in key trades like construction, electrical, plumbing, and carpentry to build homes and retrofit for climate goals. In short, there is no shortage of work for young people entering these fields – quite the opposite.

And it's not just Ireland. Around the world, countries are clamoring for trades talent:

• Australia: A 2024 industry report forecast a shortfall of 130,000 construction workers needed immediately to address the housing crisis. Major projects are struggling due to a lack of tradies.
• Canada: An estimated 700,000 skilled tradespeople (out of about 4 million) are set to retire by 2028, creating huge gaps. Canadian industries are anxiously looking for newcomers to fill those shoes.
• Germany: Europe's manufacturing powerhouse can't find enough craft workers – in 2022 there were roughly 250,000 job vacancies in skilled trades across Germany, with chronic shortages of electricians, plumbers, mechanics and more.

This global demand means Irish apprentices and tradespeople have opportunities everywhere. Your skills can literally take you around the world. Want to work abroad? A trade can be your ticket. But importantly, with Ireland's own demand so high, you can also build a thriving career right here at home. As one young Irish apprentice put it, "There is huge demand out there... All these jobs and projects are going ahead" – the work will be there when you qualify.

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Enter a Trade

Stigma aside, all the stars have aligned to make right now the best moment in decades to pursue an apprenticeship or trade career. Here's why:

• Booming Demand & Job Security: As shown above, employers are crying out for skilled workers. A qualified plumber, electrician, carpenter, mechanic, etc. today is unlikely to be out of work. High demand also pushes wages up – skilled tradespeople are commanding excellent rates because companies need them. Job security and good pay are a hard combo to beat.
• Government & Industry Support: Ireland is actively investing in apprenticeships like never before. There are more than 70 apprenticeship programs now (expanding into areas like engineering, tech, finance and healthcare), and the Government is on track to reach 10,000 new apprenticeships per year by 2025. Leaders have launched marketing campaigns (e.g. Generation Apprenticeship) and are updating policies to make apprenticeships more accessible. This means more places, more fields, and plenty of support for those who choose the "earn and learn" route.
• Modern Apprenticeships = Modern Skills: Today's apprenticeships are not stuck in the past. Yes, we still need traditional craftspeople, but trades now often involve cutting-edge technology and innovation. From green energy (think solar panel installers, wind turbine technicians) to advanced manufacturing and ICT, many trades roles are at the forefront of solving today's problems. If you want a hands-on career that also embraces tech and innovation, trades can offer that blend. Plus, many apprenticeships now include formal qualifications (up to degree level) as part of the program – so you can earn a diploma and a paycheck together.
• Changing Attitudes: The old attitudes are finally shifting. Guidance counselors and parents are coming around as they see the success stories. In 2023, a record 8,712 people registered as new apprentices in Ireland – up over 60% from just three years prior. That rebound is a sign that young people are waking up to the trades' potential. Even those who once felt pressure to go for a "safe" degree are realizing an apprenticeship can be an equal (or better) path to success. The stigma hasn't vanished overnight, but it is fading with each new apprentice proving themselves. Every time someone sees a friend or family member thrive in a trades career, the old biases weaken. Now is the time to ride that momentum.

Simply put, there's never been a better time to be a young tradesperson. The doors are open, and opportunity is knocking loudly. Whether you love working with your hands, hate the thought of an office cubicle, or just want a career where you won't be replaceable by a random AI bot – the trades could be your perfect fit.

Nixerly: Having the Backs of Tradespeople (Especially the Overlooked)

Tackling the stigma around apprenticeships isn't just about changing minds – it's also about giving tradespeople the practical support and respect they deserve. This is where Nixerly comes in. Nixerly is an Irish startup on a mission to build tools and support systems for people in the trades, especially those who have traditionally been overlooked or underserved.

What does that mean? Think of Nixerly as a modern professional network built for construction and trades careers. The same way other industries have LinkedIn or specialized platforms, Nixerly is creating a dedicated space for trades professionals to showcase their skills, connect with quality employers, and access opportunities that might otherwise slip under the radar. On Nixerly's platform, you'll be able to create a profile highlighting your certifications and experience, get your skills verified, and match with businesses looking for trusted tradespeople. No more relying purely on word-of-mouth or who you know – Nixerly aims to level the playing field so that talent speaks louder than connections.

Crucially, Nixerly is focused on those who've been overlooked in the past. Maybe you're a highly skilled tradesperson who doesn't have an insider network, or you're part of a group that's underrepresented in the trades (like women breaking into electrical or plumbing careers, or young people from communities where opportunities have been scarce). Nixerly is building a community that welcomes you. By providing mentorship, career resources, and a spotlight for your abilities, it ensures that no hard-working apprentice or tradesperson gets left behind.

This support can be a game-changer. It means a young plumber or electrician can find better jobs faster, reduce downtime between projects, and build a reputation online that travels with them. It means contractors can find skilled workers based on merit, not just word-of-mouth. And it sends a message: trades careers are just as professional and important as any other – and they deserve a dedicated infrastructure to help people succeed.

Nixerly's vision goes hand-in-hand with breaking the stigma. By empowering tradespeople with modern tools and a strong network, it chips away at the notion that trades are some kind of inferior career. When a carpenter or mechanic can proudly point to their online profile, endorsements, and a pipeline of job offers, it reinforces that these are highly skilled professionals with thriving careers.

Breaking the Stigma for Good

The bottom line: the stigma around apprenticeships in Ireland is outdated and needs to go. Choosing a trade is not a "consolation prize" – it's often the smartest move a person can make, leading to financial stability, career growth, and personal fulfillment. Whether you're a school-leaver weighing your options, a parent advising your child, or a teacher or tradesperson yourself, spread the word: trades careers build our future. They're worthy of respect and celebration.

It's time to be bold. Ireland's economy needs apprentices and tradespeople, and those who answer the call are succeeding. Success isn't reserved for the elite or for those with fancy degrees – it's within reach for anyone with the courage to learn a skill and work hard. So let's drop the old prejudices. An apprentice starting out today could be a master craftsperson or thriving contractor in a few years' time, debt-free and in demand. That's something to be proud of.

If you're ready to take that step, now is the perfect time. And remember, you're not alone – organizations like Nixerly are here to support Ireland's trades professionals every step of the way. Together, we can end the stigma and champion apprenticeships and trades for what they truly are: first-class careers with a bright future.