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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has today launched the One More Job initiative to help employers taking on apprentices.
The new initiative will provide tailored financial and training supports to Irish micro and small businesses who create ‘One More Job’ by employing one or more apprentices in 2023. These businesses can be in any sector and can take on apprentices on construction-related programmes which will help to meet Housing for All targets, or on any of the more than 40 programmes introduced since 2016.
These supports include free online mentoring for employers new to training apprentices, grants towards training costs and guidance from the One More Job team during the first year of training.
The initiative was developed by the National Apprenticeship Office with Enterprise Ireland and apprenticeship partners around the country.
Speaking at the launch in Sligo, Minister Harris said:
"Supporting employers is a vital part of meeting our ambitious apprenticeship targets.
"I am delighted to launch One More Job today alongside business owners and employers who are committed to fostering Ireland’s talent for the future.
"One More Job will enable small companies, shop owners and tradespeople access a range of supports to help their businesses thrive."
The launch comes on foot of the first-ever national apprenticeship employer survey.
Over 2,500 responses were received and initial analysis shows almost 90% of employers are satisfied with the contribution apprentices make to their organisation.
A third of respondents have been hiring apprentices for more than 10 years, while just under half expect to hire more over the next 12 months.
Director of the National Apprenticeship Office Dr Mary Liz Trant said:
"One More Job has been designed with small employers who have limited time to research and source talent and who have confirmed their interest in apprenticeships to grow their businesses.
"With 66 national apprenticeship programmes available and up to 10 more coming on-stream later this year, we need to ensure that the full enterprise community can access these opportunities.
"One More Job will assist our many small employers and micro businesses in Ireland to create that vital ‘One More Job’.
"We want to express our appreciation of the time and support received from them, from Enterprise Ireland and from our partners across the national apprenticeship system."
Conor McCarthy Director of Jennings O’Donovan and Partners said:
“We in Jennings O’Donovan are delighted to get involved in One More Job and use apprenticeships for the first time this year.
"We are confident that the talent we secure through apprenticeships will add greatly to our business, help us achieve our growth targets, and in turn help Government deliver on Housing for All and the Climate Action Plan 2023.
"We really like the industry-led aspects of the national apprenticeship system. We will be able to train and shape our apprentices on-the-job and they can look forward to great careers as engineers and designers.”