Ó An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, and Minister of State for Skills and Further Education, Niall Collins, have today (Wednesday, 23 June 2021) announced a further extension of the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme (AIS) until the end of December 2021.
The AIS provides financial support for employers who register apprentices to a national apprenticeship.
Employers who are approved by SOLAS to employ apprentices are eligible for a €3,000 payment for each new apprentice registered. A sum of €2,000 per apprentice is paid to eligible employers following the registration of apprentices, with a further €1,000 payable after one year for each apprentice retained on their apprenticeship.
Speaking about the extension to the scheme, Minister Harris said:
"During an incredibly challenging year with Covid-19 and the impact it has had on our society, the apprenticeship system has remained resilient.
“Since the launch of the incentivisation scheme, €5.7 million has been paid to over 1,500 employers throughout the country supporting almost 3,000 new apprentice jobs, with many more in the pipeline.
“We have ambitious targets for apprenticeship in Ireland and we need to ensure employers are supported in taking on new apprentices. We have listened to employers and I am glad this will extended to the end of the year.”
Minister of State Collins added:
“The Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme has supported many employers in introducing new apprentices into their respective industries.
“Under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021 to 2025, it is intended to ensure that all employers of apprentices will be financially supported either through the direct payment of training allowances to craft apprentices during periods of off-the-job training or through an annual base grant per apprentice for employers of all other apprentices. This will be implemented in early 2022.
“For now, we will continue to support employers through this scheme and I would encourage everyone to help us spread the word and get the message out there. Apprenticeship is good for businesses and good for learners."