3,000 apprentices recruited under Government Apprenticeship Scheme – Minister Harris

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, 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 Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme, which was introduced late last year and provides an employer grant of €3,000 payable over two years to support employers who take on and retain apprentices, has supported the recovery of apprentice registrations which had slowed during the COVID-19 response measures.

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. There are 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.”