Mechanic apprentice phase exemption

Durty_Deeds

Hi everyone, first time so be gentle.

I'm looking for any information regarding phase exemptions for motor mechanic apprenticeships. I have two certificates from a college in the UK they are equivalent to Level 3 and Level 4 on the QQI framework and took me two years to attain. I also worked in an MOT(NCT) garage for 5 months doing basic repairs.

I have contacted solas and multiple other agencies tasked with apprenticeships and training and all they ever say is I need to be on an apprenticeship before I can apply for a phase exemption but give no indication to how long it will take or how its done other than a Subject Matter Expert will be brought in to review my case.

My issue is if I am able to say skip a couple of phases I need to be able to tell any potential employers of this. Which brings more hassle as any employers advertising for a year 1 mechanic will be looking for just that a year 1 apprentice.

I can appreciate why it is this way, to stop people cheating the system but its massively flawed in that it just ends up restricting most people.

Has anyone on here been through the same problem either in mechanics or other apprenticeships or better yet is there any Subject Matter Experts on here that could shed some light on my predicament.

Thanks a million in advance.

Dilbert75

What are your certificates for? Motor repair-related?

Durty_Deeds

Hi yes they are motor related. the level 3 is light vehicle maintenance and repair and the level 4 is vehicle fitting principles.

Dilbert75

Durty_Deeds wrote: »

Hi yes they are motor related. the level 3 is light vehicle maintenance and repair and the level 4 is vehicle fitting principles.

Very good. I'm not in the industry but hopefully that info will help someone around here to help you out.

fryup

is that you edd?

Hellrazer

Durty_Deeds wrote: »

Hi everyone, first time so be gentle.

I'm looking for any information regarding phase exemptions for motor mechanic apprenticeships. I have two certificates from a college in the UK they are equivalent to Level 3 and Level 4 on the QQI framework and took me two years to attain. I also worked in an MOT(NCT) garage for 5 months doing basic repairs.

I have contacted solas and multiple other agencies tasked with apprenticeships and training and all they ever say is I need to be on an apprenticeship before I can apply for a phase exemption but give no indication to how long it will take or how its done other than a Subject Matter Expert will be brought in to review my case.

My issue is if I am able to say skip a couple of phases I need to be able to tell any potential employers of this. Which brings more hassle as any employers advertising for a year 1 mechanic will be looking for just that a year 1 apprentice.

I can appreciate why it is this way, to stop people cheating the system but its massively flawed in that it just ends up restricting most people.

Has anyone on here been through the same problem either in mechanics or other apprenticeships or better yet is there any Subject Matter Experts on here that could shed some light on my predicament.

Thanks a million in advance.

Not sure what course you did but my 1st year did the same in the UK - He did a Higher diploma or something in vehicle maintenance - 2 years so Id say its probably the same courses you did.

Solas are correct in saying that you have to be in an apprenticeship before they consider you for exemptions. And even at that you might not get any exemptions.

They don't know which parts of your UK course are equivalent to the Irish one and more importantly where they fit in to the 6 phases of the Irish system.


My lads exemption wont even be considered until phase 4 but he doesn't get an exemption for the whole phase - he will get credits for certain parts of the course.

My advice - just try to get into an apprenticeship and forget about the UK courses - You`ll still have to do your 5 years and start as a 1st year-you wont be allowed to jump to say a second year or third year despite you probably being at that level.

Having these UK courses wont shorten that process at all.

Durty_Deeds

Hellrazer wrote: »

Not sure what course you did but my 1st year did the same in the UK - He did a Higher diploma or something in vehicle maintenance - 2 years so Id say its probably the same courses you did.

Solas are correct in saying that you have to be in an apprenticeship before they consider you for exemptions. And even at that you might not get any exemptions.

They don't know which parts of your UK course are equivalent to the Irish one and more importantly where they fit in to the 6 phases of the Irish system.


My lads exemption wont even be considered until phase 4 but he doesn't get an exemption for the whole phase - he will get credits for certain parts of the course.

My advice - just try to get into an apprenticeship and forget about the UK courses - You`ll still have to do your 5 years and start as a 1st year-you wont be allowed to jump to say a second year or third year despite you probably being at that level.

Having these UK courses wont shorten that process at all.

Ah that makes perfect sense as to why I can't get an answer from them so lol, Its actually crazy cause if I stuck out the final year in the UK I would be fully qualified and apparently the qualifications are world wide recognised. They actually recruit from my college for garage managers in South Africa if you have the final year done so it is a desirable qualification.

I have read the 536 page program for motor mechanics from SOLAS and I can say that its a lot more technical and in depth for the most part. Thanks a million for your input its really helped.

Right next question, anyone looking for an apprentice that can hit the ground running lol. (willing to relocate)

Hellrazer

Where are you based?
I could be looking .

CianRyan

Depending on your training centre, you could we'll be into the nitty gritty of electrical fault finding and computer science (as far as automotive is concerned) in your first year of an irish apprenticeship, from what I've seen it is a more indepth and coherent course than the British system. That's not a bash, just my experience.

Silas, or FAS as you'll hear them refered as, are generally terrible to deal with. They're completely stuck to the status quo and do not bend rules, even when it makes sense to do so.

So can you skip phases? Probably not and honestly, you shouldn't want to.
Irish indie garages are well known to pay apprentices over base rates if you are able to bring the money in. This is something that you can discuss when speaking to potential employers. You could be paid a decent wage and have the benefit of adding to your education, some of which I'm sure will be a new perspective to what you already know.

When in phases 2, 4 and 6 Solas will only pay you the base rate + travel or accommodation.

Good luck, I just left the trade and good techs are in short supply, you'll be a welcome option to employers.