Ireland's first consortium-led, multi-campus manufacturing engineering apprenticeship programmes have received accreditation from Engineers Ireland.
The accreditation creates, maintains, and ensures a consistent standard of engineering programmes in Ireland and will now offer qualified apprentices an internationally recognised qualification.
Open to school leavers, employees and mature students
The Bachelor of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering is the first accredited Level 7 engineering apprenticeship programme in Ireland that is open to school leavers, employees and mature students.
It is delivered in three regions through Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway, ATU Sligo and Munster Technological University (MTU) Cork. The programme is expected to be offered in Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Midwest (Limerick) from September 2024.
The Higher Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering programme, delivered at ATU Galway, ATU Sligo, MTU Cork and TUS Midwest, is the first and only Level 6 accredited Manufacturing Engineering apprenticeship programme in the country.
These national engineering apprenticeship programmes were co-developed by a consortium led by Ibec’s Irish Medtech Association, representatives from the manufacturing industry and academic partners ATU (coordinating provider), MTU and TUS, to meet the needs of the sector.
Currently, more than 400 apprentices are involved in the programmes with 100 leading employers across Ireland. Apprentices spend 70% of their learning time in the workplace and 30% of learning time on campus.
Internationally recognised
Dr Richard Manton, registrar at Engineers Ireland, said: “Engineers Ireland accreditation is an objective evaluation and approval of engineering programmes, ensuring that they meet international standards, the needs of the engineering profession and broader responsibilities to society, environment, and economy. Accredited programmes are internationally recognised, encouraging travel and the exchange of ideas and experience, enriching our profession.”
Dr Paul O’Dowd, head of manufacturing engineering apprenticeship in ATU Galway, the coordinating academic partner in the consortium, said: “We are delighted to receive accreditation from Engineers Ireland, which endorses our new apprenticeship approach to engineering education in Ireland.
"Academic excellence and meeting Engineers Ireland’s exacting standards are foremost in our minds. Our apprentices help solve problems in their companies and play a fundamental role in innovating for the future. They follow a structured learning plan with support from academic supervisors and trained industry mentors.
"Our model allows apprentices to develop engineering skills, and to have the application of those skills tailored to the individual needs of their companies. I would like to thank the Higher Education Authority and the National Apprenticeship Office for their support. I also want to recognise SOLAS and the authorised officers in education and training boards all around the country who are helping our companies and our apprentices.”
Trish Breen of Ibec, and consortium project manager of the apprenticeship, added: “We have been working together on these apprenticeships since 2015 when we first put forward our proposal. We launched in 2017 and saw our first graduates in 2019 and 2020.
"This accreditation from Engineers Ireland is a validation of all the hard work of academics and industry representatives, not to mention our hard-working industry mentors and of course our superb apprentices.
'Programmes have been a fantastic success'
“The programmes have been a fantastic success. Feedback from employers, apprentices and graduates is overwhelmingly positive. To date more than 100 companies have engaged, and we have had over 400 apprentices across the four campuses in Galway, Sligo, Limerick and Cork. We are delighted to see that 44% of our companies are SMEs.”
Barry Comerford, advisory board member at Freudenberg Medical (formerly Cambus Medical) and chair of the consortium, said: “Throughout my career I have experienced and witnessed the value of practical learning in the workplace.
"My apprenticeship in the Irish Army in the early 1980s set a path to the successful transition of Cambus Medical to a Strategic Business Unit in the Freudenberg Medical Goup.
"I believe strongly in the adage that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert, and for me, apprenticeships are a significant portion of that journey. This programme has allowed Freudenberg Medical Galway to develop our staff and to tailor their general engineering training towards company-specific solutions and projects that deliver bottom-line results.
"It also helps us to develop our senior engineers, by building a mentoring opportunity for them, which allows us to pass on and embed best-practice engineering problem-solving skills in our company.”
Tony Mahon, head of Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering in TUS, said: “Our first groups of apprentices have included many high-performing long-time employees of their companies, who were identified as having the potential to develop on technician and engineer career paths.
"The consortium has also identified the apprenticeship as an alternative route to third-level engineering programmes for school leavers. As companies seek to meet their skills needs, many, such as Johnson and Johnson in Limerick, are choosing the ‘Learn and Earn’ apprenticeship model as a way of inducting new employees and developing new talent, tailored to their own needs.”
Niall Morris, head of Department of Mechanical, Biomedical & Manufacturing Engineering at MTU, said: “Our manufacturing engineering apprentices range from school leavers to long standing employees in SMEs and large multinational companies. They all see the fantastic benefit of studying for their degree, while having the support and mentorship within their respective companies.
"The blended learning approach allows for the technical skills and knowledge to be gained in the universities and put into practice in industry, under the guidance of their mentors. The university provides a broad and technical skill range to suit apprentices in all different industries.
"Apprentices gain the confidence to work on their own or as part of a successful team, when facing work placed challenges. The apprenticeship model is attracting women into engineering creating a great balance within STEM in the workplace.”
Dr Xavier Velay, head of the Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering in ATU, Sligo, said: “The consortium is thrilled with the multi-campus accreditation from Engineers Ireland. The excellent collaborative work amongst all partners, together with the approval from Engineers Ireland, is paving the way for the future of the manufacturing engineering apprenticeship programmes.
Further expand the consortium and broaden our geographical spread
"We now have a framework, and a process, to further expand the consortium and broaden our geographical spread across the island. We are also developing the Level 8 Honours degree as a progression route, and as an answer to industry demands for advanced skills and knowledge in the ever-changing world of manufacturing. We are excited that our contributions will enhance the manufacturing engineer of today, as well as developing the engineer of tomorrow.”
Bachelor of Engineering apprenticeship graduate Lisa Preston of MSA Safety, Galway, said: “Having returned to third level education while working full time, I found this apprenticeship programme to be a very fitting set up. The unique combination of studying in a college environment and in an industry setting enabled me to learn and further develop my practical skills beyond the classroom.
"This blended approach enhanced and developed my own personal growth in a way that allows me to seek out opportunities that I would not have looked for before. The skills and knowledge I gained through this course has pushed me forward in my career, to participate and lead in company projects, to continuously improve the work processes and environment for all associates in MSA Safety.”
For information on the Higher Certificate (Level 6) and Bachelor of Engineering (Level 7) in Manufacturing Engineering programmes at ATU (Galway and Sligo campuses), MTU and TUS, visit: https://www.manufacturingapprenticeships.ie/