September/October Edition

ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 37 Industry News New incentive payment of €3,000 for employers taking on apprentices T he July Jobs Stimulus package recently announced by the Government included provision for the introduction of a new Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme for employers of apprentices. 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 that 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. How do I apply? Step 1: Advertise apprenticeship jobs via www.apprenticeship.ie Registered 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 the www. apprenticeshipjobs.ie website. The apprenticeship office in your local Education and Training Board can assist also, local ETB click here. Step 2: Register your apprentice Once 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. For contact details of your local ETB click here. 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. 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.