For those students who didn’t get a CAO offer or the choice they want, remember there are plenty of career pathways still available in higher and further education. One such pathway becoming more popular of late, is an apprenticeship. With the career opportunities broadening all the time, it is definitely one to consider.
Apprenticeships have been highlighted for employers recently too as Government, as part of the July stimulus package, announced a grant of €3,000 per apprentice over two years for employers who register them before the end of the year.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship offers the opportunity to study for a qualification while also working in the relevant field, usually for two to four years. They are a great option for those who like a hands-on approach to building knowledge, while getting paid to do it. The variety is increasing all the time, with 56 different types currently available.
As well as long-standing apprenticeships in areas such as construction, engineering, motor and electrical, there are new options constantly being rolled out in areas such as recruitment, biopharma, finance, hospitality, cybersecurity and software development.
Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme
The Government announced under the July Jobs Stimulus that the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme will provide a €3,000 payment to support employers to take on new apprenticeships in 2020.
Under the scheme, €2,000 per apprentice is payable when they register with a further €1,000 payable in the third quarter of next year.
The incentive support covers all national apprenticeship programmes – 58 programmes as of August 2020 – and will apply to any new apprenticeship programmes which are launched in 2020.
Conditions of Eligibility
Some terms and conditions of the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme are laid out below:
- 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 31 December 2020 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.
Sectors Covered
Apprenticeships are available and being developed across a wide range of industries and sectors. Apprenticeships currently available include those in Finance, Construction, Electrical, Engineering, Hospitality and the Motor Trade. Click here to find out more
Apprenticeship with Avid Partners?
if you are interested in an Accounting Apprenticeship with Avid Partners email us to start the discussion.
How to Apply
Eligible employers may apply for the scheme via the official apprenticeship website www.apprenticeship.ie. See here for application details.
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"A breath of fresh air. Your firm demonstrated enormous commercial understanding in turning around negotiations with a potential target vendor. I admire your style and ability to drive the deal forward. Many thanks."
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"I would like to say I'm very happy with your service, especially the audit team, your staff are always friendly, helpful and a pleasure to deal with."
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"Your business approach to clients is very impressive. I have always found that when explaining the types of service on offer, it is always concise and straight forward. The level of trust that clients place in your company and its staff speaks volumes."
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"I would like to take this opportunity to say how much we are impressed with your company's professionalism, it has been a pleasure working with you all and we look forward to working with you in the future."
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"Avid Partners - Accountants & Business Advisors are an excellent firm of accountants, their quality ethos is outstanding."
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"I have dealt with Jamie O' Hanlon, of Avid Partners - Accountants & Business Advisors Chartered Certified Accountants, for a number of years as he is auditor to one of my clients. I have always found him to be professional and responsive in his approach."
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"Service is second to none; there is always someone at the end of the phone for any business advice. The staff are very easy to get along with, very approachable and know exactly what they are talking about"
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Having got to know the company through the BNI we decided it was time to change accountant. What impressed me about Avid Partners was their professionalism. Their attention to detail was second to none and as an added bonus they are a sounding board to all of my questions. Avid also potted some irregularities in my accounts from the previous few years and saved me substantial money on the years tax bill. Avid Partners deliver a first class service which is everything you could want from an accountant and I am happy to give this endorsement.
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We at Fitzies Bar have worked with Avid Partners - Business & Financial Advisers for over five years. We find that the advice and support offered to us in addition to all of our book-keeping requirements to include payroll, VAT, etc. is invaluable and has helped to contribute to our continued growth especially in these challenging times. I would have no hesitation in recommending Avid Partners.
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Jamie and his staff are a pleasure to work with. They respond promptly to any queries we have and are critical to our financial planning and the future needs of our business. I would highly recommend them to anyone interested in accounting services.
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We at Stillorgan Cycles have used Jamie and his Team at Avid Partners – Accountants and Business Advisers for over five years. We have found that the retail advice and support offered to us is second to none and has helped to contribute to our continued growth especially in these challenging times. I would have no hesitation in recommending Avid Partners.
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I met Avid Partners through a local business networking group. We had been using the same accountants for years and found that in these harsh economic times that we were not getting good enough value or service. We were very impressed by the company's professionalism and enthusiasm and genuine interest in helping us get the most out of our business. As a result we are now clients of Avid Partners and are thrilled with our decision.