The Irish Traveller Movement Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme (TAIP) supports employers to recruit and retain traveller apprentices
Launched in 2023, the Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme (TAIP) supports Travellers to access apprenticeships through work-based learning and accredited qualifications. Funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and administered by the Irish Traveller Movement (ITM), the programme addresses long-standing barriers faced by Travellers in education, training and employment.
TAIP supports employers to recruit and retain apprentices from the Traveller community, helping to address skills shortages while building more diverse and inclusive workplaces. Employers who hire a Traveller apprentice through SOLAS-approved programmes can access a €2,000 grant per apprentice to offset training and equipment costs. In partnership with ITM and Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI), TAIP delivers Employer Recruitment and Retention Training to promote inclusive recruitment practices and supportive workplace environments.
The programme works closely with employment and apprenticeship providers to tailor training to the needs of each workplace. In collaboration with Business in the Community Ireland, TAIP has delivered training across government departments, semi-state bodies, SMEs and the commercial sector. This supports employers to better understand Traveller culture and strengthen inclusive practices across their organisations.
“We are proud to partner with the Irish Traveller Movement to support the inclusion and empowerment of the Traveller community,” said Sinéad Kilkelly, Executive Director, People & Sustainability at ESB. “Through collaboration with community advocates and representatives, we gained a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this space. We encourage employers to view TAIP not only as a programme, but as a catalyst for broader cultural change.”
Edel McSorley, Operations Director at MrPRICE Branded Bargains, added: “TAIP opens doors to opportunity and drives meaningful change within workplaces. Employers have a responsibility to remove barriers and recognise the strengths Traveller talent brings. When people are given a fair chance, communities thrive and businesses benefit.” TAIP has partnered with SMEs, major retailers and semi-state employers nationwide and is keen to develop further employer partnerships.
For more information about TAIP or in relation to Traveller employment recruitment and retention training, contact Megan Forrest, TAIP Manager, at meganforrest@itmtrav.ie (085 712 4456) or Bridget Kelly, ITM National Policy Coordinator for Employment & Enterprise, at Bridget.K@itmtrav.ie (085 744 3355)
