The Government has established a €4 million scheme to assist apprentices who are out of work, according to Fianna Fáil TD and member of the Oireachtas Enterprise Committee, Dara Calleary.
The employer based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme will be operated by FÁS until the end of the year. The purpose of the scheme is to give redundant apprentices the opportunity to complete the on-the-job phase of their apprenticeship in order to gain the required experience to progress to the next off-the-job phase or to complete their apprenticeship.
It stands to benefit up to 500 apprenticeships in carpentry and joinery, electrical, plastering, plumbing and bricklaying.
The scheme will support redundant apprentices’ on-the-job training related to Phase 3, Phase 5, and Phase 7. They will also be scheduled to do off-the-job Phase 2, Phase 4 and Phase 6 in accordance with scheduling criteria.
FÁS will work with employers to place the redundant apprentices to replace any existing apprentices that have been released to attend scheduled off-the-job phase of their apprenticeship. The employer will provide workplace training and assessment for full or part of the relevant phase of the apprenticeship.
Employers taking part in the scheme will be required to pay the agreed industry rates for the specific apprenticeship trade and FÁS will make a contribution of €340 per week towards employment costs incurred based on a 39-hour working week.
“This is the latest in a number of initiatives set up by the Government and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Mary Coughlan, to assist redundant apprentices in completing their training,” explained Deputy Calleary.
“Many young people have been badly affected by the recent downturn and the Government must continue to give every assistance possible to facilitate the completing of their training,” he concluded.
