Employer-led apprenticeship

2-4 years

Type: wage paid by employer; the way it is paid varies depending on employer
Remuneration setting: individual employer-apprentice agreements
Coverage: on- and off-the-job training
Variation(s): by the year of apprenticeship and trade

More than 50% of the overall duration of apprenticeship
Number of hours per year (average): approx. 1,420 in Insurance Practitioner programme. This is lower number compared to the number of hours in the traditional apprenticeship programme.

Level: 10.75% of the annual gross income of the apprentice
Paid by: the employer and the apprentice
Rights: an employee may be entitled to social insurance payments if they lose their job, become sick or injured, have to leave their employment temporarily for family or caring reasons or if they retire. The full range of social insurance benefits include: State Pension (Transition or Contributory), Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension, Guardian’s Payment (Contributory), Invalidity Pension, Occupational Injuries Benefits, Treatment Benefit (Dental or Optical), Jobseeker’s Benefit, Illness Benefit, Carer’s Benefit, Maternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Health and Safety Benefit.

Apprentices do not receive any financial support from the government.

On-the-job training costs, including the apprentices' wages, are covered by the employer. Social insurance contributions are paid by both the employer and the apprentice. Employers may benefit from training tax allowance.

Public financing: EUR 435,000 (2016).
Source: Department of Education and Skills
The National Training Fund, based on the levy on companies, contributes to the cost of providing off-the-job training.

Statutory minimum wage: 9.25 per hour; EUR 1,546.35 per month (2016, S2); 1.563,25 per month (2017, S1 and S2)
Average yearly working time (hours) for a full time job: 1,809.60