€2,600 bursary to increase number of female agricultural mechanics
The government is allocating funding for agricultural mechanics under its new gender-based bursary for apprenticeship employers.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has launched the programme today (Thursday, April 14th, 2022).
The government is implementing the gender-based bursary as part of the National Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025.
It covers all new apprentice registrations on eligible national apprenticeship programmes from that date.
The bursary, worth €2,666, is available to employers who employ apprentices on any national apprenticeship programme with greater than 80% representation of a single-gender.
The new gender-based bursary is being implemented from January 1st, 2022.
The bursary to eligible employers will be paid in two instalments. €1,333 is payable following the completion of 6 months of training by the apprentice.
The second payment of €1,333 is payable following the completion of 18 months of training by the apprentice.
The fields are:
- Agricultural Mechanics;
- Aircraft Mechanics;
- Arboriculture;
- Brick and Stone-Laying;
- Carpentry and Joinery;
- Construction Plant Fitting;
- Craft Butcher;
- Cybersecurity;
- Electrical;
- Electrical Instrumentation;
- Electronic Security Systems;
- Engineering Services Management;
- Equipment Systems Engineer;
- Farriery;
- Geo Driller;
- Hairdressing (*men less than 20%);
- Heavy Vehicle Mechanics;
- Industrial Electrical Engineer;
- Industrial Insulation;
- Instrumentation;
- Manufacturing Engineer;
- Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting (MAMF) Metal Fabrication;
- Motor Mechanics;
- Network Engineer Associate
- OEM Engineer
- Painting and Decorating;
- Pipefitting;
- Plastering;
- Plumbing;
- Polymer Processing Technology;
- Principal Engineer;
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning;
- Sales;
- Scaffolding;
- Sheet Metalworking;
- Stonecutting and Stonemasonry;
- Telecoms & Data Network Technician;
- Toolmaking;
- Vehicle Body Repairs;
- Wood Manufacturing and Finishing.
Previously, Minister Harris said an apprenticeship can provide a “real and substantive” career pathway for:
- School leavers;
- Those looking to upskill, change career;
- People who are looking for a route back to employment in new and growing areas.
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