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.
Apprenticeship employers are eligible for a €3,000 payment for each new apprentice who is registered between the period 01 March and 30 June 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 do I apply?
Step 1: Advertise apprenticeship jobs
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 apprenticeshipjobs.ie/employer/register. The apprenticeship office in your local Education and Training Board can assist also,
Find your local Education and Training Board >
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.
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 30 June 2021 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 apprenticeshipincentive@solas.ie.
Details on the range of measures announced by Government are available on the government website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c48ab-july-jobs-stimulus/