ESB apprenticeship

WannabeSpark · 22-02-2010 5:42pm

I'm after sending in my application for the esb apprenticeship already. I'm 27yrs of age and have no work experience that would be relevant for an electrical apprenticeship. All of my work experience to date has been either office or retail based.
I have thought a lot about getting into the electrical trade and am doing a city and guilds course in AC/DC Elementary Elec Eng and I have a decent leaving cert. I also did some casual farm labouring work a while back which I enjoyed so I know I would have no problems with the physical outdoor element of the job.
Just wondering if the fact that i'm a bit older, along with the lack of experience, will work against me?

Davy · 22-02-2010 6:26pm

The lack of electrical knowledge wont matter, you will be going to fas if they take you on. Most other school leavers wont have an electrical backround either. Once your previous references are ok then you should have as good a chance as any. A lot of people wouldn't be able to go for the job due being on €200 a week

germanicus · 24-02-2010 7:22pm

Does anyone know where the off the job training for this apprenticeship takes place?

mal1 · 24-02-2010 7:26pm

germanicus wrote: »

Does anyone know where the off the job training for this apprenticeship takes place?

Is it not Portlaoise?

Davy · 24-02-2010 7:56pm

germanicus wrote: »

Does anyone know where the off the job training for this apprenticeship takes place?

In takes place in the Fas centre you are assigned from fas as the places come available

mal1 wrote: »

Is it not Portlaoise?

Thats in-house training for esb works.

WIZE · 24-02-2010 8:06pm

What if I cant remember my JC and LC results im 30 now

Davy · 24-02-2010 8:15pm

Most Haunted wrote: »

What if I cant remember my JC and LC results im 30 now

you will have to produce a copy of the cert at some stage, so may as well get one now if your serious about it

.G. · 24-02-2010 9:32pm

Most Haunted wrote: »

What if I cant remember my JC and LC results im 30 now

You can get replacements from the dept of education.

I started my apprenticeship when i was 31,Not working with the ESB unfortunately but heading towards my 4th year soon and its the best thing I ever did

germanicus · 25-02-2010 12:18am

i wonder whether the esb keep many of the apprentices on full time afterwards?

bassey · 25-02-2010 1:26am

Of the 100 they are currently taking on they say they are going to keep on roughly about 20, but there's also the oppertunity to do electical engineering.

And there are ESB modules that have to be done in Portlaoise.

karl13 · 25-02-2010 2:12pm

Hi,
I am looking to go for the ESB apprenticeships this year, does anyone who has done it have any advice on the applications process?
I did my leaving cert last year but was too late when I found out about this oppurtunity, so i went to college but realy do not like it so I am going to apply for this as I have always been interested in becoming an electrician.

Thanks Alot,

germanicus · 25-02-2010 3:13pm

How many of the apprentices are selected to go on to the electrical engineering degree does anyone know?

bassey · 25-02-2010 4:17pm

It all depends on how many people say they're interested, then how many meet the required standard in the leaving cert, then how many get a Merit in phase 4, then how they do in the aptitude tests and if they have a good recomendation. So it's hard to tell how many will go on to do it.

The application process is this

Application form --> Aptitude tests --> Interview --> Medical.

If you have a good sense of mechanical reasoning, problem solving and basic maths you'll be fine for the aptitude tests. In the interview you really want to be going on about team work, safety and responsibilty. And in the medical just don't do any drugs for a few weeks before and don't be colour blind.

ForeverYoung90 · 01-03-2010 2:55am

Where are ye all getting yer references?:o

karl13 · 01-03-2010 5:33pm

I think my old year head and my boss from my last job?

bassey · 01-03-2010 6:05pm

School principal and/or old boss seem to be the most common that people use

ForeverYoung90 · 01-03-2010 6:20pm

bassey wrote: »

School principal and/or old boss seem to be the most common that people use

How about a teacher.My principle wountnt know me that well.

ForeverYoung90 · 01-03-2010 7:07pm

Anyone know roughly how many apply and dont get offered a place?

.G. · 01-03-2010 7:30pm

bassey wrote: »

Of the 100 they are currently taking on they say they are going to keep on roughly about 20, but there's also the oppertunity to do electical engineering.

And there are ESB modules that have to be done in Portlaoise.

Fair play to them,thousands of sparks on the dole already and they are guaranteeing another 80 to be on it in 4 years time.

Don't see why they can't employ some of the redundant apprentices out there as well as some fresh faced young un's or are all said apprentices useless now since the country dosen't need them to build gaffs anymore.

They took on some last year to their credit,they should keep doing it.

Davy · 01-03-2010 7:51pm

superg wrote: »

Don't see why they can't employ some of the redundant apprentices out there as well as some fresh faced young un's or are all said apprentices useless now since the country dosen't need them to build gaffs anymore.

They took on some last year to their credit,they should keep doing it.

Qualified or not, or any age can apply, they need to be trained on their type of work so it makes sense to start people are apprentices.

The people last year were temporary apprentices to finish their off job phases to complete the apprenticeship.

.G. · 01-03-2010 8:48pm

Davy wrote: »

Qualified or not, or any age can apply, they need to be trained on their type of work so it makes sense to start people are apprentices.

The people last year were temporary apprentices to finish their off job phases to complete the apprenticeship.

I'm not sure you can redo an apprenticeship in a trade that your already qualified at.Nothing to stop them taking on apprentices and training them in Portlaoise,they could even train already qualified sparks on their systems.Plenty would happily take a pay cut for the chance however I take the point that its best to start at year one with people.

The point I don't get is why take 100 when you only need 20.Sure not all 100 will work out so it makes sense to pick more than what you need but I don't see why they can't pick some of those 100 from lads who are proven in this game but find themselves out of work through no fault of their own.Why not give some of the lads already on an apprenticeship a chance to prove they can do a job for the ESB.

Last year was temporary but it was better than nothing and I'm sure if some of those lads who got that chance proved themselves capable then they stood a good chance of being kept.

bassey · 01-03-2010 8:51pm

Whats the point in retraining a qualified sparks in specific ESB stuff when they can get someone in from year 1? There's some sections in the ESB that take ALOT more than 4 years to get properly experienced in. The way I see it is they're giving a lot of people a job for 4 years and a great qualification and also a good pool of recruits for themselves. And you have to remember that they're taking more people to send people on to engineering aswell

ForeverYoung90: I know last year there was over 5000 applications, they could only look at 4500, and of that they took on 100.

Davy · 01-03-2010 8:57pm

superg wrote: »

Last year was temporary but it was better than nothing and I'm sure if some of those lads who got that chance proved themselves capable then they stood a good chance of being kept.

They never had an option to get a job from it.

bassey wrote: »

ForeverYoung90: I know last year there was over 5000 applications, they could only look at 4500, and of that they took on 100.

Thats a lot of applications!

.G. · 01-03-2010 9:23pm

bassey wrote: »

Whats the point in retraining a qualified sparks in specific ESB stuff when they can get someone in from year 1? There's some sections in the ESB that take ALOT more than 4 years to get properly experienced in. The way I see it is they're giving a lot of people a job for 4 years and a great qualification and also a good pool of recruits for themselves. And you have to remember that they're taking more people to send people on to engineering aswell

ForeverYoung90: I know last year there was over 5000 applications, they could only look at 4500, and of that they took on 100.

The point is because theres thousands of them on the dole.why introduce more people to a trade thats already overstocked.And even leaving aside qualified lads they should be making use of the pool of apprentices already in the system,IMO of course.

I'm nearly in my fourth year and have a job but I'd take first year wages while retaining my third year status to get a job with them and I'm sure plenty others would too.

ForeverYoung90 · 02-03-2010 1:19am

bassey wrote: »

Whats the point in retraining a qualified sparks in specific ESB stuff when they can get someone in from year 1? There's some sections in the ESB that take ALOT more than 4 years to get properly experienced in. The way I see it is they're giving a lot of people a job for 4 years and a great qualification and also a good pool of recruits for themselves. And you have to remember that they're taking more people to send people on to engineering aswell

ForeverYoung90: I know last year there was over 5000 applications, they could only look at 4500, and of that they took on 100.

5000 applicants and they take 100?:eek:
Well im 19 dropped out of a college course last month as it just wasnt for me and am looking at applying for this.I got 270 points in my leaving and am young and willing to work and learn.I also have work experience from working part time in my local creamery every saturday and summers since I was 16.What are my chances?:o

ForeverYoung90 · 02-03-2010 4:30pm

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

5000 applicants and they take 100?:eek:
Well im 19 dropped out of a college course last month as it just wasnt for me and am looking at applying for this.I got 270 points in my leaving and am young and willing to work and learn.I also have work experience from working part time in my local creamery every saturday and summers since I was 16.What are my chances?:o

Does anyone think dropping out of college will go against me?:(

ForeverYoung90 · 02-03-2010 7:21pm

5000 applicants and they take 100?

Well im 19 dropped out of a college course last month as it just wasnt for me and am looking at applying for this.I got 270 points in my leaving and am young and willing to work and learn.I also have work experience from working part time in my local creamery every saturday and summers since I was 16.What are my chances?

pdiddy · 02-03-2010 7:34pm

bout 50/1 id say lol

bassey · 02-03-2010 7:39pm

It depends on why you dropped out I'd say. And I wouldn't worry too much about your LC results, I got taken on before I even got my results! I think the big decider is how you do in the Aptitude test and then hopefully interview.

ForeverYoung90 · 02-03-2010 7:46pm

pdiddy wrote: »

bout 50/1 id say lol

Haha that sounds about right..:rolleyes:...:)

02-03-2010 8:30pm

Working as an electrician can be great and the ESB would be good to work for but:

1) As you have pointed out there are 5000 applicants and only 100 places. You may also find that many of these applicants will have more relevent work experience. Therefore your chances are very slim.

2) There is not very much work for electricians at the moment and the chances are this will not improve when these apprentices qualify. In general the ESB do not keep on apprentices when they qualify.

Best of luck what ever you decide.

germanicus · 02-03-2010 8:50pm

bassey wrote: »

It depends on why you dropped out I'd say. And I wouldn't worry too much about your LC results, I got taken on before I even got my results! I think the big decider is how you do in the Aptitude test and then hopefully interview.

How do you like the work if you don't mind me asking? what stage are you at?

bassey · 02-03-2010 8:56pm

I think it's great, there's so many sections with such a variety of things to do. From stations to overheads, cables, faults and operations. Climbing poles and masts is great fun aswell (When it's not freezing or gale force windy). I've just started phase 2 now so I won't be with the ESB for a while.

Davy · 02-03-2010 8:59pm

2011 wrote: »

In general the ESB do not keep on apprentices when they qualify.

I think they keep 1 in 5 roughly.

Op you have nothing to lose, give it all you've got, and hopefully you will get an interview.

ForeverYoung90 · 02-03-2010 9:17pm

So did you have good references and experience of working with electrician work or what?How did your interview go?Thanks

bassey · 02-03-2010 10:15pm

Never worked with elecricity before I started here, but I'd been doing flooring every summer and weekend since I was in 4th year so I knew my way around a building site. In the iterview just go on about safety, hard work, responsibility and the importance of getting things done

aerial man · 04-03-2010 8:58pm

I sent my application today. Does anyone know what numbers are applying this yr? it sounds an interesting course. will they send you to electrical or electronic engineering?

Davy · 04-03-2010 9:13pm

aerial man wrote: »

I sent my application today. Does anyone know what numbers are applying this yr? it sounds an interesting course. will they send you to electrical or electronic engineering?

I doubt anyone knows till they all apply, but its going to a lot this year seeing the situation with jobs etc in the country.

Its electrical engineering, if you meet the criteria

ForeverYoung90 · 04-03-2010 11:06pm

aerial man wrote: »

I sent my application today. Does anyone know what numbers are applying this yr? it sounds an interesting course. will they send you to electrical or electronic engineering?

Hey I think the references you have are the real deceiding factor..who should I get mine off?A former teacher?school principle?boss at work?can you use your farther as a reference?And also is all you do is get your referees details and theyll be contacted?

ForeverYoung90 · 05-03-2010 12:19am

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

Hey I think the references you have are the real deceiding factor..who should I get mine off?A former teacher?school principle?boss at work?can you use your farther as a reference?And also is all you do is get your referees details and theyll be contacted?

anyone?:o

ForeverYoung90 · 05-03-2010 12:20am

Hey I think the references you have are the real deceiding factor..who should I get mine off?A former teacher?school principle?boss at work?can you use your farther as a reference?And also is all you do is get your referees details and theyll be contacted?

delly · 05-03-2010 2:29am

Threads merged.

ForeverYoung90 · 05-03-2010 8:26pm

Out of interest who did people here use as references?
thanks.

evosteo · 08-03-2010 1:04am

hi i jus want to give my two cents. i applied to the ESB for an apprentiship about 5 years ago, i was just out of school and i didnt know what to do with myself. got a letter back saying i had to go for an aptitude test which is organised by a third party company called "parc". did the test which if i can remember was four different aptitude tests including mechanical, maths, forget the other two. two weeks later i got a letter asking me to go for an interview which was been held in the main offices in finglas. nearly missed it by accident as there used to be an esb shop just in finglas village and i thought thats were it was. little did i know i was jus 18. so i got the 17a into finglas nice and early went into the shop and waited around for a bit. then a worker came over to me askin if he could help me. i said i was here for the interview, and he laughed. said it wasnt here but in the offices about 20 mins up the road. looked at the watch and had 15 mins till it started. ran outa the shop and straight up to the offices and jus made it as my name was been called. bad start for an interview i tell ya. about the interview there was two people. a man and a woman. the jus asked me about myself, my hobbies and why i was interested in working for the esb. then they started askin me did i know much about electricity. at that stage i couldnt change a plug top. so i tried to remember a battery experiment i had done in school. DISASTER i panicked and couldnt put 2 and 2 together. i knew there and then i had messed up. left the interview know i had made a mess. got a letter shortly after saying i hadnt made the cut but it wasnt the end of the world as i had sent out multiple cvs. now im qualified with a distinction on my cert but made redundent last march. went back to collage in sept to get my electrical services eng degree which i had been doing part time for two years. so come this summer hopefully i might get a job doing something which i really enjoy. the problem with this game is that your not guarenteed work week in week out. you could work 60 hours + one week then be on temp layoff the next.

3fullback · 12-03-2010 9:45pm

Any info when they will be informing people about the aptitude test ?

Davy · 12-03-2010 9:49pm

I would imagine it will be 2 or 3 weeks at least

3fullback · 19-03-2010 10:46pm

Anybody hear anything back, or know when the ESB will be letting people konw ?

Netty123 · 22-03-2010 11:01pm

Hi lads, I'm in the ESB for nearly 10 years now, great job.
Few words of advice for all of you for an ESB interview.
Safety is NUMBER 1 in the ESB, have examples of situations where you do things in a safe manner, it may be something as simple as cutting the lawn ie.. you ware steel toe caped boots and never leave lawn moer unattended etc.
Sounds poxy but safety is No.1
Another would be to be able to show how you used ur brain to make a job easer and safer, alot of our work is problem solving ie.. if you were painting a wall you tied the top of the ladder to something and you put on a harness to prevent you from falling which also allowed to work with both hands off the ladder. Simple stuff but thats what the like. one of the panel will prob be HR and the other an apprentice co-ordinator, they might not know how to put in a light bulb!!
Safety and forward planning, Good luck

Ash10 · 23-03-2010 4:52pm

anyone get a letter in the post today about the apptitude test in DIT??????

paa9090 · 23-03-2010 7:04pm

no did you?? know last year was bout 14th the tests were last year... any one doin the prep course i ve seen advertised

ESB apprenticeship

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