Time to share the apprentices secret says Laois Offaly representative Five-year action plan launched to present thousands of opportunities Reporter: news@leinsterexpress.ie Pic shows ( l to r ) Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD and Minister of State for Skills an Further Education, Niall Collins TD. '); '); Employers and people in education will be able to tap into thousands of more apprenticeships thanks to a new national five-year plan to overhaul the apprenticeship system, according to Laois/Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan. The Fine Gael TD says his Government's plan will increase the number of new apprentices to 10,000 every year from 2025 and introduce a new grant for employers who take on apprentices.