NEWS
Top electrical apprentices set to compete at WorldSkills Ireland 2024
A new €500m scheme offering low-cost loans for energy efficiency upgrades in domestic homes has been launched in the Republic of Ireland. Low-cost Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme launches in RoI
Electrical Installation is among 30 disciplines set to be contested at WorldSkills Ireland 2024 in RDS Simmonscourt over September 25-27. Promoting skills and apprenticeship careers and opportunities for young people as they navigate future options
Homeowners can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 at
significantly lower interest rates to make their homes warmer and cheaper to run. The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme is said to be the first of its kind for both Ireland and the European Investment Bank, which is supporting it alongside the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Upgrade projects musts be supported by an SEAI grant and projected to achieve a minimum 20% improvement in the energy performance of the building. Speaking at a launch event for the new scheme, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said, “Over 48,000 home energy upgrades were supported through SEAI schemes last year - up a massive 76% on 2022 and exceeding the target by 30%. The new low-cost loans will help us to go even further in our retrofit delivery this year and in the years ahead.” www.seai.ie/grants/home- energy-grants/home-energy- upgrade-loan/
following secondary education, last year’s event welcomed more than 24,000 students from 300 secondary schools through its doors. Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, said, “Once again, WorldSkills Ireland will celebrate the best of Irish skills opportunities. “It is a brilliant opportunity for young people from all over the country to explore the variety of skills-based career paths available to them, from traditional fields like construction and mechanics to newer areas such as financial services, green skills and retrofitting.”
L-R: Lee Davison, Sean McLoughlin, Ciara O’Sullivan, Willow Swire and Daniel Kearns, competitors at WorldSkills Ireland.
A partnership between enterprise, industry, education, training and government, sponsors include SISK, Construction Industry Federation, ESB Networks, Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus and Autodesk. Ray English, WorldSkills Ireland Chair/ Technical Delegate, said, “Simply put, we need more skilled people across multiple sectors, and this event reflects the collective support from education, industry and government.” www.worldskillsireland.ie
Call for new UK government to support skills development
ECA is highlighting electrification’s key role in decarbonising the UK economy as a new Labour government takes shape following the General Election on July 4. Electricians will play a pivotal role in delivering Labour’s key missions from economic growth to clean energy, said the electrotechnical and engineering services body. While a skilled electrical workforce is essential to the roll-out, integration and
maintenance of low-carbon technologies from heat pumps to solar panels and EV charging infrastructure, ECA said a shortage of skilled electricians is a fundamental obstacle to achieving net zero. With a four-year timeframe required to develop the core competencies needed, ECA is urging the new government to take this first step on the path to achieving the 2030 target set out in its manifesto. Further, to stimulate economic growth, fundamental flaws in the procurement system must be addressed with most of the construction industry united in calling for protective legislation to stop the abuse of retentions and improve payment performance. SMEs, which represent the majority of firms in the electrotechnical sector, need better support to deliver apprenticeships, said ECA. www.eca.co.uk
Environment Minister Eamon Ryan (pictured) launched the scheme alongside Finance Minister Michael McGrath and Minister of State Neale Richmond.
ELECTEX DUBLIN: REGISTER TO ATTEND AT WWW.BEPEX.IE
IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 7
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