Ballymore launches Pilot Roscommon Apprenticeship Bursary
Sean Mulryan, the chairman and chief executive officer of Ballymore, one of Ireland’s leading property developers, has launched a €500,000 fund to encourage young people in Roscommon to take up construction apprenticeships.
The bursary will be available over a five year period to men and women who were either born, were educated or are currently living in Roscommon, Mr Mulryan’s native county.
Funded by Ballymore Group and run by Galway & Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB), the Ballymore Construction Apprenticeship Bursary is designed to support apprentices across a range of building trades and increase participation by school-leavers or those returning to education in or from Co Roscommon.
Mr Mulryan launched the pilot scheme at Roscommon Community College – his former secondary school – today (Feb 6) with the aim of helping to address Ireland’s housing and skills shortage. Ballymore will announce further apprenticeship initiatives at a later stage, underscoring its commitment to skills development
James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, said: “Skilled trades are vital to the construction workforce, and the Government is committed to growing apprenticeships to meet this need. I commend Ballymore Group for supporting new apprentices in this direct and meaningful way. I hope it is fully taken up and leads to a big increase in apprentices in Roscommon.”
Sean Mulryan, chairman and chief executive officer of Ballymore, said: “Ireland needs to drive up the rate of infrastructure delivery massively over the next five years – houses, rail links, water, energy and road systems. And we need to ramp up the range of construction skills across the labour force to meet the pent-up demand for all kinds of public and private infrastructure.
“I am delighted to make a contribution with this pilot scheme to remove some of the barriers to choosing apprenticeships, and I would encourage others in a position to help to consider a similar approach.
“University education isn’t the right road for every school-leaver, and parents should encourage young people to consider avenues that may be more rewarding for them. Apprenticeships can be a pathway to running your own business or to exciting, well-paid careers.”
Marian Harkin, Minister of State with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, said: “I welcome Ballymore Group's commitment to apprentices (and to Roscommon!) in the launch of this bursary. We need to encourage people into the construction workforce to deliver on our housing and infrastructure needs and initiatives like this from industry are greatly valued.”
David Leahy, Chief Executive of GRETB said: “We welcome this development in the support of apprenticeship in our region. Since 2024, Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board has almost doubled the number of Phase 2 Apprenticeship places.
“We want to increase this number, particularly in Roscommon, by providing additional Further Education and Training facilities in the county, subject to appropriate funding. Recognition of the apprenticeship system by a highly respected company such as Ballymore Group endorses the significant role it plays in the construction industry.
“Galway and Roscommon ETB is committed to supporting Ballymore in the roll out of this bursary scheme, and we look forward to working closely with them into the future as we develop skills training capacity in Roscommon and beyond.”
The bursary will be open to apprentices in the following trades:
- Brick & stone laying
- Wood manufacturing & finishing
- Plumbing
- Carpentry/joinery
- Scaffolding
- Stonecutting & stonemasonry
- Plastering,
- Painting & decorating
- Toolmaking
- Heavy vehicle mechanics
- Civil engineering technician (Level 6)
- Supply chain management associate (level 6).
While apprenticeship registrations have grown year-on-year nationwide, the rate of growth remains insufficient to meet the projected demand driven by increased construction activity. Further information on the bursary scheme and details on how to apply for a grant are available on www.gretb.ie
Government plans to deliver 300,000 new homes by 2030 under the “Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025–2030” initiative will require a significant expansion of the apprenticeship workforce.
Additionally, major infrastructure projects such as Metrolink, will create substantial apprenticeship opportunities.
In response, Ballymore and GRETB are collaborating strategically to create pathways for school leavers in Roscommon and individuals seeking to re-skill into construction apprenticeships.
Current apprenticeship uptake rates will not meet future requirements, making this initiative critical to encouraging more people in Roscommon to pursue careers in construction.
Qualifying applicants must be registered with a SOLAS-approved employer, and have a home address in Roscommon, been born in Roscommon, or attended a Roscommon second-level school.
Applications open in 2026 and payments will be made in two tranches as apprentices progress with their training. Grants will range from €2,000 to €3,000, with higher payments for under-represented trades such as brick and stone laying, and scaffolding.