A Killarney native heading up finance at the National Gallery is encouraging Kerry students to apply for the accounting technician apprenticeship programme, which will create jobs in the region as part of 125 positions nationally.

And local employers have been encouraged to sign up for the scheme to avail of a Government annual base grant per-registered apprentice from early 2022.

The Accounting Technicians Ireland Apprenticeship is a funded, work-based learning programme in which locally-placed apprentices earn at least €19,890 a-year.

Applications for the apprenticeship, which will be based at colleges in Cork, Limerick, Galway, Dublin, Monaghan, Waterford and Wicklow are now open.

Accounting Technicians Ireland, whose apprenticeship programme has been the source of over 456 jobs, has embraced blended learning.

The initiative allows students to spend four days a week working, often online with the agreement of the employer since the pandemic, and one day a week studying.

School leavers, Leaving Cert students, career changers, and mature learners can all apply for the programme through Accounting Technicians Ireland.

The Accounting Technicians Ireland Apprenticeship provides a real alternative for school leavers who prefer practical training to a full-time college programme, or those who embarked on a college course and found it did not suit them.

It is also an attractive option for existing employees and mature learners who want to pursue accounting.

Large firms and smaller practices, as well as industry and the public sector have all embraced the programme.

This is the third year of the National Gallery of Ireland’s participation in the programme, and according to Killarney’s Mary Leane, its head of finance, it is a great way to upskill.

“Apprentices are not just gaining a qualification, they are also learning work based skills which they can continue to build on throughout their career,” she said.

“Apprentices are delighted with the opportunity to earn as they learn while gaining practical experience in the workplace. The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship works for both the younger and more mature student.”