GradStart is a 24-month graduate placement programme. The objective of GradStart is to assist Enterprise Ireland’s indigenous companies to scale and grow their businesses through the introduction of good graduate talent to deliver clearly defined projects.
This offer will be specifically targeted at the graduate community and helping companies attract additional graduate resources.
The initiative will support companies with ambitious growth plans to employ up to three graduates at any one time, with a minimum Level 6 degree qualification on the National Vocational Qualifications Framework or equivalent.
The offer will be available to all Enterprise Ireland client companies who meet the programme criteria.
Companies must apply for either the standard 50% grant rate OR 70% grant rate applied to language proficiency. These grant rates are not transferrable or interchangeable.
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GradStart Offers Your Company:
- Your company will be facilitated with the necessary tools required to effectively compete for graduate talent;
- Utilisation of graduates to help deliver on defined company projects and embed capability and/or support the company achieve its goals;
- Employment grant support for up to 3 graduates at any one time
- Potential to improve the skills base and competence available in the business.
GradStart is open to all E.I. SME and mid-tier (less than 500 employees) companies, Large companies (in certain circumstances), HPSU Accelerate companies (see eligibility criteria below) and LEOs*. The initiative is also available to eligible Údarás na Gaeltachta clients.
* LEOs are limited to 1 graduate on a 2-year contract at any one time and must have a minimum of 5 full time employees to qualify for support.
Companies should discuss potential eligibility with their Local Enterprise Office Advisor initially - contact us on 061 557499.
Eligible Companies (See Section 5 Applicant Eligibility page 5/6 of the Terms of Reference (ToR):
GradStart is open to all E.I. SME and mid-tier (less than 500 employees) companies, Large companies (in certain circumstances), HPSU Accelerate companies (see eligibility criteria below) and LEOs*.
The initiative is also available to eligible Údarás na Gaeltachta clients.
LEO clients to qualify for support must:
- Be incorporated i.e must be a company
- Operate in the manufacturing or internationally traded service sector
- Employ a minimum of 5 staff, businesses employing more than 10 in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector who are not clients of Enterprise Ireland are eligible to apply through their Local Enterprise Office.
Eligible companies must be able to demonstrate satisfactory progress against business plan and evidence of appropriate funding for the during of placement.
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Ineligible companies / Exclusions:
- Partnerships
- Small enterprises in the agricultural sector are excluded in line with State aid guidelines.
- Companies with charitable status, commercial semi-state companies, “not for profit” organisations, trade associations, company representation bodies such as Chambers of Commerce, Sports Clubs and other noncommercial bodies or associations are not eligible to participate in GradStart
Project Eligibility:
Eligible projects must meet the following criteria:
- Applications from eligible companies;
- A project defined by the company linked to their overall growth plan and be part of the strategic development plan of the company;
- The company clearly demonstrates that it has an appropriate infrastructure (i.e. adequate work tools, desk/PC and support and access to work colleagues/supervisor or team leaders) to enable the graduate to fulfil the aims of the programme;
- The company identifies an in-company mentor to work with and develop the graduate on a daily/weekly basis;
- Activities that support the development of the graduate;
- If applying for 70% grant rate aligned to language profiency, the company must clearly demonstrate how that language will be utilised to deliver on the project.
Note:
The company, at application stage, sets out the specific title, role and purpose of the graduate for the 2-year contract.
Any change / revision to the graduate title, role or purpose made by the company post-letter of offer will result in the offer being null and void and the grant being cancelled.
Ineligible projects:
Any projects related to Sales and Marketing activities
[1] Traded services are defined under the Industrial Development Act 1986 and Industrial Development Services Order 2010 (SI No. 81 2010) see http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/About-Us/Our-Clients/Eligibility-criteria.html
Eligible Expenditure
Eligible Company Employment Costs:
- Salaries and wages of graduates approved under the GradStart (excluding Employers’ PRSI and Bonus).
Ineligible Expenditure:
- Recruitment Costs
- Bonuses related to the graduate’s salary
- Employers PRSI contributions
- Travel and subsistence in Ireland or Overseas
- Any accommodation costs
- Expenditure incurred prior to the date of receipt of the Application to Enterprise Ireland is ineligible
Eligible Graduates:
GradStart is open to graduates and postgraduates who meet the following criteria:
- Seeking graduate entry level positions;
- Have a recognised 3rd level qualification not less than Level 6 on the National Vocational Qualifications Framework, or recognised equivalent; or a postgraduate degree not less than Level 9 on the National Vocational Qualifications Framework, or recognised equivalent;
- Have a valid work permit to work in Ireland (if required) for the duration of the 24 month placement;OR
- Hold a 1-year working visa with the option to renew the visa to allow completion of the 2-year contract – neither the hiring company nor Enterprise Ireland will have any liability or responsibility should the graduate be unable to renew their working visa.
- Have graduated within the last four years i.e. ; 2016; 2017; 2018 or 2019.
- Can provide proof of language proficiency where required by hiring company
Further info. @ https://gradhub.ie/gradstart-for-companies/
