A ‘back to employment’ grant scheme for employers who take on apprentices must be included within the Redundant Apprentice Scheme to allow apprentices to complete their apprenticeships.
This is the view of Independent councillor Declan McDonnell, who is calling on the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan jr to extend the Redundant Apprentice Scheme. He feels that such a scheme would allow apprentices who have been made redundant to complete their apprenticeships with someone else.
Cllr McDonnell said the way this would work is that a grant would be paid to the employer, thereby reducing the cost of employing the apprentice, and increasing the likelihood that more apprentices could complete their training.
He said the Back to Employment Grant scheme would be at the same rate as Unemployment Assistance and would act as a subsidy for the employers, encouraging them to recruit apprentices.
“It would be far more beneficial long term than simply paying Unemployment Assistance,” said Cllr McDonnell. “While these are difficult economic times, it is still important to look to the future and we must ensure we do not lose valuable tradesmen because they are unable to finish apprenticeships.”
Cllr McDonnell has written to Minister Lenihan and the Enterprise Minister and Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan asking them to give serious consideration to this proposal.
