Apprenticeships should cover education on consent - study

Apprenticeship programs in Ireland should incorporate education on consent in sexual relations, according to a new academic study. Researchers found that while most apprentices were satisfied with their prior sex education, a significant portion felt awkward about verbally asking for consent.

The study, which surveyed 723 young apprentices, revealed that half of them found verbalizing consent to be an "awkward" experience. Furthermore, only half had discussed consent with a friend. The findings are intended to inform a national program of consent workshops for apprentices.

Most apprentices reported passive learning experiences regarding consent, with a vast majority receiving talks or watching videos in class. Less than half experienced discussion-based workshops that encouraged reflection and peer interaction. While 88% agreed that verbal consent is essential for all intimacy, the same percentage found asking for it awkward.

The research also highlighted ambivalence regarding intimate image sharing, with over 80% acknowledging the risks but more than 50% viewing it as exciting or normal. The study was a collaboration between Waterford and Wexford ETB (WWETB) and the University of Galway's Active Consent program. WWETB has piloted workshops based on apprentice feedback and plans to expand these learner-centered approaches.

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Our apprentices responded positively to taking part in the survey and helped us to design a consent education workshop. This success was based on presenting realistic scenarios that allow apprentices'