€20m to aid apprentices’ training

AROUND €20 million in funding is to be made available to assist unemployed and redundant apprentices’ training.

Announcing the package of schemes yesterday Tánaiste and Minister for Education Mary Coughlan said the initiatives were designed to help the unemployed maintain contact with the labour market and improve skills.

The Government is to pay wages of up to €450 to unemployed apprentices who are taken on by firms to complete their training. This is approximately €100 less than is currently paid on some Fás apprentice schemes, which is covered by the employer.