Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
546. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider the introduction of incentives for plumbers, electricians and other trades to take on apprentices and subsidise their wages in relation to the new retrofit programmes for homes. [8153/22]
View answer547. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider the introduction of incentives for plumbers, electricians and other trades to take on apprentices and subsidise their wages in relation to the new retrofit programmes for homes. [8154/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 547 together.
Apprenticeship is a work based learning opportunity. It is an employer-led offering based on a contract of employment between the apprentice and their respective employer. It incorporates a minimum of 50% on-the-job training with off-the-job training which is delivered in a number of different ways according to the apprenticeship programme. This ranges from remote or online learning to one day per week in an education institution or periods of off-the-job training (typically from 10-20 weeks) in an education and training institution at further or higher education level.
Retrofit activity covers a range of tasks and professions including craft trades and operative level occupations in the construction sector. Among the current 62 apprenticeships available at levels 5-10 of the National Framework of qualifications there are apprenticeships which would deliver skills suitable to retrofit activity include plumbing, carpentry and joinery, plastering and painting and decorating and the recently launched scaffolding apprenticeship.
During their three periods of off-the-job training, craft apprentices are paid training allowances directly by the ETBs, rather than their employers. There are no current plans to further supplement this arrangement. A new payment of €2,000 has been introduced to employers of apprentices on newer, consortia-led apprenticeships, to help level up the supports provided to the two types of apprenticeship programmes. The introduction of this grant means that, for the first time, employers of all apprentices will now have access to financial support, either through direct payment of allowances to apprentices or through the new employer grant.
