Motor Industry Apprenticeships - taking action

Further to the commitments set out within the Programme for Government, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is progressing the development of the Apprenticeship Action Plan 2021 to 2025. The Apprenticeship Action Plan 2021 to 2025 will build on the learnings from, and progress achieved under, theAction plan to expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship (2016-2020). It will:

• set out a clear and ambitious road map for the next five years which will more fully integrate apprenticeship intothe further and higher education and training landscape;
• embed apprenticeship within enterprise; and,
• deliver an apprenticeship system which is more accessible to all.

SIMI were invited to participate in the initial round of consultation to support the development of the Plan and made a submission on September 18, 2020. Apprenticeship training is essential for our Industry and is a cross-sector issue for our members. As an Industry, we rely on the availability of the skill-base provided by the apprenticeship system and have supported and invested heavily in apprentice development over many years. The continued commitment and support of our organisation and its members will be crucial to the success of the new plan.

Stimulus for ApprenticeshipThe Government’s July Jobs Stimulus package included provision for the introduction of a new Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme for employers of apprentices. The Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme provides financial support for employers who take on apprentices on all national apprenticeship programmes. The incentive support covers all national apprenticeship programmes (58 as of August 2020).Apprenticeship employers are eligible for a €3,000 payment for each new apprentice registered between the period nMarch 1 and June 30, 2021. €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.

How to apply
Step 1: Advertise apprenticeship jobs via www.apprenticeship.ieRegistered employers taking on apprentices as part of the scheme are requested to use the free Jobs Portal facility on www.apprenticeshipjobs.ie to advertise vacancies. Not yet an apprenticeship employer? You can submit an expression of interest and complete the process online via https://www.apprenticeshipjobs.ie/#/employer/register.
The apprenticeship office in your local Education and Training Board can assist also.

Step 2: Register your apprenticeOnce an apprentice has been employed, you must register them as an apprentice with Solas. This is done via an apprenticeship advisor in your local ETB.

Step 3: Apply for the incentive payment
Following successful registration of an apprentice, 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.