New Gender Bursary launched to support employers in hiring more women in apprenticeships

A new gender bursary was launched this month by Simon Harris T.D., Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, to support employers in employing more women in apprenticeships. Apprenticeships offer a valuable combination of high quality academic and vocational learning, with clear links to a profession and employment. Addressing gender imbalances in apprenticeships gives more women the opportunity to earn and learn in future focused industries. While employers benefit from a stronger talent pipeline of work ready apprentices that can boost their business productivity and innovation capacity.

The bursary, which is worth €2,666, is available to employers who employ apprentices as part of a national apprenticeship programme with greater than 80% of a single gender. The bursary will be paid in two instalments where €1,333 is payable following the completion of 6 months of training by the apprentice and a second payment of €1,333 is available following the completion of 18 months of training. The bursary covers new apprentice registrations from 1 January 2022.

Currently only 1,500 or 6% of the apprentice population in Ireland are women, and this is even lower in areas such as engineering and construction. The bursary is available to employers of apprentices in areas including aircraft mechanics, cybersecurity, manufacturing engineer and polymer processing technology. The bursary is also available to employers who employ males on the hairdressing apprenticeship, which is the only predominantly female apprenticeship. A full list of eligible apprenticeships can be viewed here.

Fully addressing gender imbalance in apprenticeships requires early intervention at primary and second level to address gender stereotyping. Teachers, parents and guidance counsellors have an important role in positioning apprenticeships as an attractive opportunity to young women. Targeted recruitment campaigns, mentorship programmes and apprenticeship networks can develop a supportive culture for women. Expanding access to pre-apprenticeship programmes can help more apprentices from diverse backgrounds to transition to apprenticeships.

The bursary is in addition to the recently launched annual grant of €2,000 per apprentice per year for employers who employ apprentices in consortia apprenticeships which are not eligible for off-the-job training allowances. Both initiatives are part of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship (2021 – 2025) which aims to support more employers in taking on apprentices.

Further information about apprenticeships in Ireland can be found here.