MINISTER of State for Skills and Further Education and Limerick County TD Niall Collins has announced a further extension of the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme (AIS) until the end of December 2021.
The Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme provides financial support for employers who register apprentices to national apprenticeship programmes.
Employers who are approved by SOLAS to employ apprentices are eligible for a €3,000 payment for each new apprentice registered.
€2,000 per apprentice is paid to eligible employers following the registration of apprentices with a further €1,000 is payable in Year 2 for each apprentice retained on their apprenticeship.
Speaking about the extension to the scheme, Minister of State Collins commented: “The Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme has supported many employers in introducing new apprentices into their respective industries.
“Under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 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.”
