Simon Harris seeking ‘significant’ increase in wages for apprenticeships

Simon Harris: It is important that pay rates are not seen as a barrier to participation by potential apprentices. File picture: Brian Lawless

The minimum wage paid to apprentices is to be increased in a bid to entice more people into trades.

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris is to move to improve pay rates, which are as low as €6.84 per hour, and has already started negotiations with employers and other representative bodies in search of significant increases.