What support is available to me for apprentices
HR Dept
On 13th October 2026, an updated Apprenticeship Code of Practice for Employers and Apprentices was published.
In the right circumstances, apprenticeships can be a win-win way of recruiting: with you having a framework in which to train up bright, motivated and enthusiastic workers and, for them, a clear pathway into quality employment.
Currently, more than 10,000 Irish employers are using apprenticeships to recruit and develop their talent pipeline. This equates to more than 30,000 apprentices, demonstrating what an attractive and desirable option it can be.
Better still, the government offers a range of support to employers to encourage take up. Let’s explore what is available and how it could help your business.
A €2,000 per year grant
For several years, the government has offered a €2,000 a year grant to employers for apprenticeships introduced since 2016 which do not attract an off-the-job training allowance (see below).
Each year, this grant is payable in two instalments of €1,000 each and as of October 2026, there are 89 different qualifying apprenticeships from a wide range of industries: sales and marketing to motor, hospitality and food to construction.
The courses tend to last two to four years and, intrinsically to how apprenticeships work, you pay your apprentices a genuine salary and training costs, and allow them paid time off to study.
The gender-based bursary: €2,666
Additionally, a bursary worth €2,666 is available to employers for every minority apprentice they employ on a national apprenticeship scheme where representation is made up of greater than 80% of the opposite gender. “Hair”, is the only sector where males would qualify as such a minority.
The off-the-job training allowance
If a craft apprenticeship scheme qualifies for the off-the-job training allowance, then it excludes it from the €2,000 grant above. The off-the-job training allowance is payable to the apprentices themselves rather than you as employer, but it is designed to help you by reducing the wage cost you would otherwise pay.
The payment is made while an apprentice is away from the workplace at a training centre or classroom. It is taxable via PAYE.
Apprenticeship Code of Practice for Employers and Apprentices
Coming full circle, we finish on the code of practice itself. While it is not financial support, it does provide clarity to both you and your apprentices on how to structure an apprenticeship and what’s expected.
Every approved employer and registered apprentice must agree to the code and follow it. The code also sets out compliance, sanctions and appeals processes where requirements are not met.
Help from The HR Dept
With this renewed focus on the code of practice, now is a good time to review how you use apprenticeships, or if you have not considered them before, to take a look at what is on offer.
We can help you review your recruitment strategy, learning and development programme and skills gaps within your business to identify how apprenticeship support would best work for you. To get started, please contact us.
