Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme extended to end of year
The Irish Government has announced a further extension of the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme (AIS) until the end of December 2021.
Under the extended AIS, any hairdressing apprentice employer is eligible for a €3,000 contribution payment for each new apprentice who is registered before 31 December this year. An initial €2,000 is payable per eligible apprentice at the point of registration, while an additional €1,000 is payable in 2022.
Validated by QQI in September 2020, the new National Hairdressing Apprenticeship in Ireland is a minimum of three years in duration, and intends to provide the industry with some stimulus in recruiting new apprentices to a career in hairdressing, with a nationally-recognised qualification.
It is aimed at school leavers who have completed their Leaving Certificate, early school leavers who have at least two years full-time experience in a salon, or mature applicants who wish to pursue a career in hairdressing or change their profession. The training takes place on a day-release basis for students, placing them in the salon environment for a further four days under the guidance of a salon mentor.
“During an incredibly challenging year with Covid-19 and the impact it has had on our society, the apprenticeship system has remained resilient,” said Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris.
“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.”
Any employer interested in hiring an apprentice and interested in applying for the AIS must register as an apprenticeship employer, and as of 1 July 2021 they must advertise the position on www.apprenticeship.ie. This is a free service. They then proceed with their selection process, and when they have employed the apprentice/s they must register them with Solas. After this they can complete and submit an online form to claim payment.
