Bridging Gaps and Building Futures
Launched in 2023, the first ever Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme (TAIP) marked a significant step in supporting Travellers to access Apprenticeships by offering a qualification pathway through work-based learning.
The Programme was established with funding from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to address significant barriers facing Travellers in areas of education, training, and employment, and in view of systemic racism and discrimination.
Administered by the Irish Traveller Movement, the national advocacy and membership platform of Travellers and representative organisations working to achieve greater equality for Travellers, the TAIP aims to increase Traveller participation in apprenticeships, offering financial incentives, and providing ongoing support to find employers.
It also aims to educate employers and training providers on making work and training Traveller informed in its approach, towards a more inclusive and supportive learning and work environment.
The long term educational inequities for Travellers is evident compared to students overall. Pupils continuing from primary to post-primary education in Ireland in 2023/24 was 95 per cent, compared with an average of 82 per cent of Traveller children. And far fewer complete post-primary school compared with their student counterparts, at only 3 in 10 compared to 9 in 10 nationally.
The number of Travellers with a third-level qualification is increasing, but stands at only 4 per cent compared to 47per cent overall. The history of provision of education to Travellers has been poor, and we are still seeing the resultant inequality of access, participation, and outcomes.
Travellers are ten times more likely to experience discrimination than other white Irish people and in 2022 when the unemployment rate in Ireland was 8% it was 61% among Travellers.
Working with employers is the second aim of the programme, to promote inclusivity and diversity in the workforce, with a wide network of employers, and to redress stigma and discrimination Travellers encounter in recruitment, both direct and indirect.
Reducing barriers is foundational to the TAIP which provides grants of up to €3,000 to Travellers to start, or are already in a SOLAS-approved apprenticeship, or who participate in pre-apprenticeship, or Access to Apprenticeship training programmes. To enable employers, a grant of €2,000 is available for hiring Traveller apprentices.
Achievements to expand apprenticeship opportunities, and increase uptake and retention is evident already with over 70 grants awarded to Travellers taking up the scheme to date, and on a pathway to a brighter future. The aim of the TAIP programme, is to highlight challenges, barriers and redress stigma and discrimination Travellers face daily, directly and indirectly.
The grant was a great boost and shows my employer that I am serious about my apprenticeship and want to do well. It puts you on the right track. The grant is an investment in you. I was able to buy a computer and new tools. Applying for the grant was easy and not too complicated. (Feedback from a Traveller Apprentice)
TAIP is continually engaging with Public sector bodies, SOLAS, ETBI, educational institutions and employers to promote inclusivity, diversity and equity in the workforce. We are very keen to develop partnerships and working relationships with all those who work to support Travellers, directly and indirectly, so please feel free to reach out to us.
If you would like to speak with one of our team, please contact:
TAIP Manager Bridget Kelly bridget.k@itmtrav.ie or
Outreach Officers: Lee Anna Ward lee.anna@itmtrav.ie
and Patrick Stokes
apprenticeship@itmtrav.ie
