Employers will be entitled to a financial incentive of €3,000 to take on apprentices under a new scheme to be announced today.
Minister for Higher Education and Innovation Simon Harris wants to expand the model to include more sectors of the economy as it recovers from Covid-19.
More than 18,000 people are currently undertaking an apprenticeship across a wide range of occupations. They include positions in electrical, construction and engineering areas to healthcare, information technology and financial services.
Minister Harris said it was an exciting option for people of different ages and backgrounds and for career changers, as well as school leavers.