The July Jobs Stimulus package recently announced by the Government included a provision for the introduction of a new Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme for employers of apprentices. This development underlines the Government‘s commitment to the value of apprenticeships and their continued expansion while acknowledging the real financial difficulties faced by employers in these challenging times.
SOLAS, as the statutory agency overseeing the apprenticeship system, has been charged with responsibility for developing, delivering and administering this new scheme
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 31 December 2020. €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.
To apply for the incentive payment
Following successful registration of an apprentice with SOLAS, employers who are eligible for the incentive payment will be invited to submit a claim form which includes tax clearance details and the provision of bank details to process payments. Subject to approval, the claim will be processed promptly for payment.
For apprentices who have been registered to-date since 01 March 2020, SOLAS will shortly make contact with all eligible employers to invite them to submit a claim form.
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 31 December 2020 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.
Have a query ?
Queries may be directed to apprenticeship advisors within Education and Training Boards, to consortia overseeing apprenticeship delivery or by email to .
Details on the range of measures announced by Government are available here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c48ab-july-jobs-stimulus/
