Modern Apprenticeship

LukeR765

Does anyone know of any modern apprenticeships in Ireland? An apprenticeship that involves some college education as well as on the job training. Theres hundreds of these programmes in the UK but can't seem to find many in Ireland. I'm looking for something along the lines of offshore or onshore wind turbines/renewable energy etc. but will consider any engineering or technician related apprenticeships too. Thanks

2011

LukeR765 wrote: »

Does anyone know of any modern apprenticeships in Ireland? An apprenticeship that involves some college education as well as on the job training.

Here is a list of "modern apprenticeships in Ireland".
In Ireland there is no such thing as an "engineering apprenticeship".

An electrical apprenticeship is the closest to what you have described.
Upon completion of this program the apprentice would be recognised as a qualified electrical (FETAC level 6).
This involves college training modules as well as on the job training and takes four years.

Theres hundreds of these programmes in the UK but can't seem to find many in Ireland

I doubt that these are apprenticeships.
Can you post a link to one of these courses?

LukeR765

There actually are lots of engineering apprenticeships in the UK and Germany. The website won't allow me to post links as I am a new user but search Siemens advanced apprenticeship, SSE Apprenticeships, National Grid, Tube Lines, Rolls Royce, Virgin Atlantic, Nuvia, e2v and enermech to name a few. Aer Lingus, Bombardier, ESB and Eircom are the only ones I know of in Ireland providing these types of modern apprenticeships. They are usually large companies that provide in house training or have links with colleges. Does anyone know of anymore companies that provide modern apprenticeships?

2011

LukeR765 wrote: »

There actually are lots of engineering apprenticeships in the UK and Germany.

I had to complete a 4 year electrical apprenticeship to qualify as an electrician.
This course comprised of study in college as well as "on the job training" (as mentioned in your opening post).

To become an engineer I then had to go back to college and graduate from an accredited engineering degree course.
In Ireland there is no such thing as an "engineering apprenticeship".
Having said that some apprenticeships are more technical than others such as those that involve electrical or instrumentation.

Does anyone know of anymore companies that provide modern apprenticeships?

My previous post lists all of the recognized "modern" apprenticeships available in Ireland.

LukeR765

Thanks for the reply 2011. Just find it a bit odd that theres so many of these apprenticeships abroad that allow apprentices to work towards a Level 5,6,7 or 8 qualification on block or day release over a 3,4 or 5 year period yet there is none in Ireland.

I know of two schemes in the North of Ireland. These are SSE electricity and Bombardier Aerospace. Are you aware of any other similar schemes in Northern Ireland?

2011

LukeR765 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply 2011. Just find it a bit odd that theres so many of these apprenticeships abroad that allow apprentices to work towards a Level 5,6,7 or 8 qualification on block or day release over a 3,4 or 5 year period yet there is none in Ireland.

Remember a "normal" electrical appreneship is level 6 (I don't know about the other appreneships).
It is possible to work towards a level 7 or 8 with some employers (such as ESB) while serving your time.
I completed a C & G technician qualification when I was a 3rd year apprentice.
If electrical interests you I would suggest that you go into DIT and have a chat with them (assuming you live in or near Dublin).
This institute of technology runs apprenticeships, degree courses, masters programmes and beyond.
There are a number of courses available that can be completed during and after an apprenticeship.

What area interests you?

As you can see here:

Craft to levels 7 and 8 are available on the FETAC website http://www.fetac.ie/fetac/documents/Progression_from_FETAC_Adv_Cert-Craft_to_HE_Courses.pdf

LukeR765

Ive done two years of a mechanic apprenticeship and now I'm in my final year of a degree in Transport Technology in DIT but the course is very theory based and an awful lot of the graduate jobs are office based so I am interested in doing an apprenticeship to get some more hands on experience and get a qualification at the same time. 40 hours a week in an office is not for me!

I'm very interested in the renewable energy sector and would like to do some wind turbine technician work and I have applied for a few of these apprenticeships in the UK. If I don't get accepted for any of these I will try to find an electrical or mechanical apprenticeship in Ireland and then apply for the wind turbine work when I am qualified as I think there will be massive growth in this industry over the coming years.

2011

I worked as an instrumentation technician for a number of years in the pharmaceutical sector. This involved plenty of hands on work such as instrument calibration and troubleshooting. There is a very technical side to this highly skilled work. It also pays well compared to other trades. I think it may interest you. Like you an office job did not sound very appealing. However I spent over 10 years on my tools and got very bored with it. I now work in an office in a design role for an engineeribg consultantcy and love it.