The business community welcomes the initiative for summer jobs for vocational students
“Over 130 companies have expressed interest in taking on apprentices this summer,” says Hildur Elín Vignir, Managing Director of the IÐAN Education Centre.
“We have the capacity to add 150 new apprenticeship contracts this summer,” says Hildur about the government's initiative aimed at increasing opportunities for vocational students without an apprenticeship contract to get workplace training this summer. This measure is for students who are enrolled in studies in the spring or autumn semester of 2021 and do not have an apprenticeship contract. Vocational students must be 18 years of age (during the year) or older.
The goal of the initiative is to increase the number of students in workplace training. The government's measure is temporary and is valid from 15 May to 15 September 2021. Each student is accompanied by a grant equivalent to wages according to the collective agreement of the relevant trade union, plus a matching contribution to a pension fund.
“It wasn't long ago that we were tasked with this project, but we welcomed the initiative and immediately started to gauge interest among companies to participate in this campaign. The reception exceeded our wildest expectations, and it shows the goodwill of the business community, where uncertainty has prevailed since last year due to COVID-19. We hope that this goodwill will result in an increase in apprenticeship contracts and are also happy on behalf of the students who will gain good work experience this summer.”
