The first Geo Drilling Apprenticeship Programme, developed by Geoscience Ireland in conjunction with Institute of Technology Carlow, was officially unveiled by Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Damien English TD at New Boliden Tara Mine on November 11.

Geo Drilling - the skilled use of a drill rig to advance holes for subsurface investigation work – is critically important to various sectors of the Irish economy, including quarrying; mining; groundwater research and abstraction; mineral exploration; geothermal energy development; site investigation for housing and infrastructure projects; and directional drilling for utilities. However, no formal qualification existed until now.

In 2017, Geoscience Ireland (a programme of Geological Survey Ireland) was asked by its drilling member companies to explore the development of a bespoke qualification for drillers working in Ireland.

The absence of such a qualification was proving to be a difficulty when it came to acquiring work overseas, particularly in the United Kingdom.

Formal pathway for new entrants into drilling profession

Commenting on the role which Geological Survey Ireland played in the development of the apprenticeship, its director Koen Verbruggen said: “In addition to assisting drilling companies to export their services to foreign markets, the Geo Drilling apprenticeship creates a formal pathway for new entrants into the drilling profession at a time when the demographic of the sector is ageing.

"The apprenticeship therefore is a positive development for the drilling sector in Ireland.”

The apprenticeship proposal was supported by both the procurers of drilling services and drilling companies, including the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), Construction Industry Federation, Geological Survey Ireland, Irish Water, Boliden Tara Mines, Dalradian and the Irish Mining and Quarrying Society.

SOLAS approved the proposal and work commenced on developing the course syllabus and recruiting both apprentices and employers. A steering committee made up of industry experts was assembled and this group oversaw the development of the apprenticeship programme.

The steering committee comprised representatives of drilling and mining companies, Geological Survey Ireland, Irish Water, SIPTU, National Federation of Group Water Schemes, Irish Mining and Quarrying Society and Institute of Technology Carlow.

According to Dr Frances Hardiman, head of the faculty of engineering at Institute of Technology Carlow, there is already significant interest in the Geo Drilling Apprenticeship Programme from mining and quarrying companies and drilling contractors, with apprentices starting in 2019 from Boliden Tara Mines, QME Mining, Lenihan Well Drilling, Irish Drilling and Geological Survey Ireland.

“It is exciting to be adding the Higher Certificate in Science in Geo Drilling to the suite of new apprenticeships on offer in Ireland and expanding our apprenticeship portfolio in IT Carlow to include a necessary qualification in a huge industry,” said Dr Hardiman.

Sean Finlay, director, business development, Geoscience Ireland, and chairperson of the steering group said: “Companies with qualified Geo Drilling Apprentices will have a competitive advantage in domestic and export markets.

"Framework requirements for drilling by state and semi-state utilities and agencies, such as Irish Water, will increasingly require higher standards, including the provision of accredited and qualified drilling personnel.”

Investment in development of skills and quality

Eoghan O’Neill, manager of human resources at Boliden Tara Mines, said: "It is important that such a skilled discipline as drilling has a formal qualification, this is important not only for the individual but also for the company as it demonstrates investment in the development of skills and quality.”

The Level 6 Higher Certificate qualification will enhance the quality of services drillers can provide to clients in Ireland and overseas. Delivered by the Faculty of Engineering at Institute of Technology Carlow, the Geo Drilling Apprenticeship is a two-year programme combining work experience with academic study.

Apprentices will work with employers for 41 weeks and attend classes four days a week for 11 weeks. Application is open to school leavers and mature learners, aged 16 years or older.

Apprentices will receive practical training in the use of drilling equipment and operating procedures as well as classroom training in areas such as: geology; geo-informatics; drilling equipment and operations; sample retrieval and processing; environmental management and stakeholder engagement; health and safety; and communications.

Drilling standards

Brian Byrne of IT Carlow described the apprenticeship at a recent meeting of the Geotechnical Society.

He observed that, unfortunately, not all consulting engineers were using the appropriate specifications developed by the Geotechnical Society for ground investigation and hoped that the apprenticeship would increase performance standards in this area.

He suggested that drilling specifications would benefit from an NSAI certification.

For further information, contact Ger Keohane Programme, director at: ger.keohane@itcarlow.ie or industry liaison at: Stephen.walsh@gsi.ie