Ministers Lawless and Harkin announce launch of new and innovative Business & Operations apprenticeship
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From: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Published on: 20 April 2026
- Last updated on: 20 April 2026
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, alongside Minister of State with responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, Marian Harkin, today announced a new and exciting Business and Operations apprenticeship for the public and private sectors. Overseen by a public and private sector consortium, the programme leads to a Level 6 qualification and combines paid work-based learning with accredited off-the-job education delivered by Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB).
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 excited to be launching this new Business and Operations apprenticeship today. It represents the kind of modern, open and ambitious approach we want to take to skills and careers in Ireland.
“Too often, talented people rule themselves out of opportunities because they don’t see a pathway that works for them. This apprenticeship changes that. It opens employment to people from different backgrounds, life stages and experiences, and it brings new energy, new ideas and new perspectives into organisations.
“In Budget 2026, I invested a record €79 million in apprenticeship funding, bringing total investment to over €410 million - double the level in 2020. That investment is allowing us to expand beyond traditional apprenticeship models and create new, credible routes into professional and leadership roles.
“The Business and Operations apprenticeship is our 81st national apprenticeship and marks a major step in making apprenticeship a mainstream and respected pathway into rewarding careers.”
Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers said:
“The expansion of apprenticeships across the Civil Service is a key aim for my Department under the Better Public Services 2030 Transformation Strategy, which sets out our vision for a skilled, motivated, and inclusive workforce of the future, supported by dynamic career development and inclusive workplace cultures. I very much welcome this ground‑breaking new Business & Operations apprenticeship, which will open up the Civil Service to a broader and more diverse pool of talent, while providing an alternative route into a meaningful and rewarding career, ensuring that the Civil Service reflects the society it serves and is equipped with the practical skills needed to meet the challenges of the future.”
Minister for Social Protection, and Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary added:
“I welcome the launch of the Business and Operations Apprenticeship, which has been developed through collaboration between public sector colleagues, private sector employers and education partners Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board. This shared commitment has produced a programme that is modern, practical, and responsive to workplace needs.
“Opportunities for apprentices to further develop their Irish language skills as part of the on-the-job experience through placements in my own Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht is also significant, ensuring strong support for the continued delivery of services in Gaeltacht communities.
“This apprenticeship demonstrates the real value of cross-sector cooperation and our shared ambition to build a skilled workforce for the future.”
Minister for State with responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, Marian Harkin said:
“The launch of the Business and Operations apprenticeship is an important step in expanding what apprenticeships can offer, opening doors to new roles and new possibilities. It reflects a modern, ambitious approach to skills development that allows people to earn while they learn and build meaningful careers with confidence, while also helping organisations to attract, nurture and develop talent through more accessible pathways.”
Chair of the Apprenticeship Consortium Steering Group, Laura Canavan, Head of Culture and Engagement, Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland said:
“Lidl was the driving force behind this apprenticeship, having first approached MSLETB to initiate its creation, and ensuring it aligned with industry needs. Working in close partnership with key stakeholders across both the public and private sectors, we have created a programme that is practical and grounded in how businesses operate day to day. As Chair of the Consortium Steering Group, it has been a unique opportunity to help design an initiative that works seamlessly across stores, warehouses, and offices, and reflects the realities of running a fast-paced, operational business. At Lidl, we have always invested in developing our people, and this programme strengthens that commitment by focusing on the capabilities that matter most in our environment: leadership, problem-solving and operational excellence. It is a strong example of how collaboration can open up real career opportunities while building the skills businesses need to perform and grow.”
Peter Egan, Director of FET for MSLETB said:
“This Business and Operations apprenticeship marks a major milestone as a first-of-its-kind public and private partnership, bringing together industry expertise and educational leadership to deliver a future-focused programme. Working with both the civil and public service and the private sector, we have designed an apprenticeship that directly meets the needs of today’s workplace.
“It develops in-demand business and operational management skills through a strong blend of on-the-job experience and structured learning, delivering immediate workplace impact. Learners gain transferable skills in problem-solving, process improvement, and organisational efficiency, while benefiting from clear progression pathways. Ultimately, this programme will help shape the business leaders of the future.”
Notes
The Business and Operations Apprenticeship is a 26-month programme at NFQ level 6, which will promote an alternative and inclusive pathway to employment in the Civil Service and across private organisations. Apprentices will have the opportunity to earn while they learn with on-the-job experience in a Civil Service department or private organisation and a comprehensive curriculum of learning delivered in a partnership with Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB).
Apprentices from the private and public sectors will complete the same core education together, supporting shared, cross sectoral learning. Public sector specific electives will be delivered by the Institute of Public Administration (IPA), and will include a dedicated Irish language pathway led by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. An initial limited intake of 60 places will be shared between Civil Service departments and leading private sector employers.
The apprentice will undertake 14 learning modules over the 26-month apprenticeship, studying topics such as Business Fundamentals, Introduction to Operations, Customer Service Excellence, Project Management Principles, Organisational Behaviour and Change Management as well as Public Service specific modules. Apprentices will complete practical assignments and assessments, including a final showcase project.
The off-the-job training with MSLETB will take place in Dublin and in Carrick-on-Shannon in Leitrim.