The midwest, like many parts of the country, finds itself in the midst of an engineering skills shortage as companies cry out for trade qualified engineers, has come up with a plan: Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) in collaboration with Limerick for Engineering, an industry consortium, have developed a degree-level apprenticeship designed to upskill qualified electricians to industrial electrical engineers in a mere two years.
LIT held a briefing session for members of the regional educational training boards and industry to highlight the success of the programme so far.
The programme is in its second year and is being supported by companies from across the country: Dornan Engineering in Cork; Molex in Shannon; Mercury Engineering in Dublin; Enersol in Co Meath; the ESB; and Bord Na Mona.
'We want to see people learning while earning'
“LIT is absolutely committed to this new apprenticeship model. We want to see people achieve progression through apprenticeship-based degrees. We want to see people learning while earning. This is a model which we believe will succeed, and one that can be applied in other sectors. This apprenticeship is at the forefront of how learning is changing in Ireland.” said Professor Vincent Cunnane, president of LIT.
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L-R: Prof Cunnane, president LIT; Mark Egan, apprentice; and Geoff Spencer STS. Photo: Alan Place[/caption]
“Programmes such as the Level 7 Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Electrical Engineering will ensure that apprenticeships will continue to be an integral part of our business for the next 50 years and beyond,” was one of the benefits highlighted by Dave McNamara, associate director of Kirby’s Engineering Group, Limerick, which has three industrial electrical apprentices on the programme.
Sponsoring two-year degree in electrical engineering
Mark Egan, enrolled on the B.Eng. in Industrial Electrical Engineering (apprenticeship) has 23 years’ experience in the industry and is working as an electrical supervisor with engineering company STS Group in Co Waterford. which is sponsoring his two-year degree in electrical engineering.
STS feels it is the perfect fit as 70 per cent of Egan's time during the apprenticeship is spent on the job, while the remaining 30 per cent is spent in LIT.
“I would recommend this method of education to any electrician who would be interested, the experience that they have gained on site will be a great platform to start from. Also, from the employer’s perspective, the financial impact is relatively low,” said Egan.
To learn more about the apprenticeship programme in LIT visit
apprenticeship.lit.ie