Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today marked the 3,000th application under the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme.
Speaking today (Tuesday), Minister Harris said: “The Government has ambitious plans to expand apprenticeship opportunities to reach 10,000 new apprentices registering per year by 2025 and later this month, we will launch a new Apprenticeship Action Plan
“But we have had some success already. Last year, we announced the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme and today, I can confirm we have received applications for 3,300 apprentices.”
The latest figures available show 1,941 claims have been submitted online in respect of 3,300 apprentices.
Minister Harris added: “Today, we are visiting Bus Éireann -Ireland’s national bus company and one of the country’s leading employers who recently launched their 2021 Apprentice Recruitment Campaign. In total 17 Heavy Vehicle Mechanic apprenticeship places are available nationwide. Applications are invited between now and the end of March and Bus Éireann are making a particular appeal to women to apply.”
“Successful applicants will be trained to the highest possible technical standards. This includes training on the various day to day repairs and preventative maintenance tasks, in addition to vehicle diagnostics/fault finding with some of the most advanced systems of its kind in place.
Minister of State with responsibility for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins TD said “This is a real example of the value of apprenticeships in Ireland. We have really exciting plans in this area and I am delighted to see so many companies – big and small- avail of our Incentivisation Scheme and help us increase the number of apprenticeships in Ireland.”
What is the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme?
The Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme provides financial support for apprenticeship employers who take on apprentices on all national apprenticeship programmes.
The incentive support covers all national apprenticeship programmes – 58 programmes as of August 2020 – and will apply to any new apprenticeship programmes which are launched in 2020.
Apprenticeship employers are eligible for a €3,000 payment for each new apprentice who is registered between the period 01 March and 30 June 2021. €2,000 per apprentice is payable at the point of registration. A further €1,000 is payable in Quarter 3 2021 for each eligible apprentice retained on their apprenticeship.
Some terms and conditions of the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme
- Apprentices must continue to be employed by the employer at the time of submission of a claim for the incentive payment.
- Employers who have made an apprentice redundant between 01 March and 30 June 2021 are not eligible to make a claim under the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme.
- Employers cannot claim for both the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme and JobsPlus for their apprentices.
- Apprenticeship employers will be subject to monitoring visits and contact in the usual way by the national network of SOLAS Authorised Officers.