The Pat Kenny Show Is university the first point of call for every student?
Aug 29, 2025
Paddy Kavanagh, General Secretary of Connect, champions apprenticeships as an alternative to traditional university paths. He discusses the evolving nature of career choices, emphasizing the significance of trade unions in supporting craft workers. The conversation highlights the benefits of the Irish craft apprenticeship system, including secure, well-paying job opportunities and international recognition. Kavanagh also sheds light on how career trajectories can shift, showcasing personal stories of individuals who found success through non-university routes.
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PLC Guided A Better Career Choice
- Ayebatari chose a one-year PLC in architecture and then travel and tourism after doing her Leaving Cert at 16.
- The PLC helped her avoid a premature university drop-out and later led to a civil engineering apprenticeship.
From Tourism Back To Engineering
- Ayebatari pivoted from travel and tourism back to civil engineering after gaining work experience and securing an apprenticeship.
- She now works four days with engineers and studies online one day per week.
How Apprenticeship Entry Works
- Craft apprenticeships accept applicants with a Junior Cert, though employers typically prefer Leaving Cert holders.
- Employers advertise apprenticeships and often work with unions like Connect to place apprentices.