Engineering apprenticeships

An engineering apprenticeship is an exciting opportunity for those who have an interest in engineering as a career. An engineering apprenticeship can also be a proven way for employers to develop talent for their company, as well as opening up new and rewarding careers, with learning grounded in the practical experience of undertaking a real job.

The apprenticeship system in Ireland was restructured over the last 10 years and reforms have taken place. The new generation of apprenticeship is a third-level degree programme where the learner is primarily based in the workplace. Academic learning takes place for the full duration of the apprenticeship, i.e. blocks of learning on campus at an education provider, combined with academic modules delivered, while the learner is gaining hands-on training in a relevant setting. Apprenticeships are also paid employment allowing the apprentice to ‘earn and learn’.

Engineers Ireland has supported the development of these consortia-led type of apprenticeships i.e. (employers, employee representatives and education and training providers) who are coming together and broadening apprenticeships in Ireland beyond crafts/trades and overcoming skills shortages in key sectors. Below is a grid outlining current engineering apprenticeships that are available. Others we are pleased to say, are under development and we will add these to our webpage here as soon as they become live.

For more information on apprenticeships in Ireland, please refer to www.apprenticeship.ie

Current engineering apprenticeships

Current Engineering Apprenticeships	Level	Years	Provider	Partners	Further Information
Manufacturing Engineering (linked to L7 programme)	6	2	ATU Galway (lead), also: ATU Sligo, TUS Limerick, MTU Cork	Irish Medical Devices Association, Ibec	here
Engineering Services Management	7	2	MTU Cork	Construction Industry Federation	here
Equipment Systems Engineering	9	2	University of Limerick	The Equipment Systems Engineering Academy	here
Polymer Processing Technology	7	3	TUS Athlone	ATU Sligo, Ibec	here
Industrial Electrical Engineering	7	2	TUS Limerick (lead), also: TU Dublin Tallaght	Stryker	here
Manufacturing Engineering	7	3	ATU Galway (lead), also: ATU Sligo, TUS Limerick, MTU Cork	Irish Medical Devices Association, Ibec	here
Principal Engineer	10	4	University of Limerick	Lero	here
Cybersecurity	6	2	Fastrack into Information Technology (Dublin/Cork Offices)	ETBs (Education and Training Boards)	here
OEM Engineering	6	3	Cavan Monaghan Education & Training Board	LCETB (Limerick Clare Education Training Baord	here
ICT – Network Engineer Associate	6	2	Fastrack into Information Technology (Dublin/Cork Offices)	ETBs	here
Software Development Associate	6	2	Fastrack into Information Technology (Dublin/Cork Offices)	ETBs	here

Industrial Electrical Engineering apprenticeship

The Apprenticeship in Industrial Electrical Engineering leading to the award of a Level 7 Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) Degree was specifically designed as a progression programme for qualified electricians who wish to upskill and to acquire the advanced knowledge needed to enable them to move into engineering roles in Industry. It was developed with the electrical engineering, automation and manufacturing sectors to address the skills gaps in these sectors. It is accredited by Engineers Ireland at the Associate Engineer educational standard (see here for further information on Engineers Ireland accreditation).

The apprenticeship is a 2-year programme, with 70% of the time is spent on the job and the remaining 30% of the time (two 15-week blocks) is spent in TU Shannon Midlands Midwest (formerly Limerick IT) or TU Dublin. Contact hours while on the job will take up to 4 hours per week, which can be done in apprentice’s own time or partly at work, depending on the relevance of the project to their daily work. Apprenticeship contracts of employment are with a registered employer and the application for entry to the course are submitted by the employer.

Overview:

Stage 1 – On the Job, September (21 weeks): Work Based Learning Portfolio, Industrial Communication and Personal Development
Stage 2 – Institute Block, January (15 weeks): Engineering Mathematics, Advanced Electrical Control Systems Workshop, Electrical Drawing & BIM, Engineering Communications and Collaborative Working, Electrical Planning and Layout, Electrical Machines
Stage 3 – On the Job, May (18 weeks): Work Based Learning Project
Stage 4 – Institute Block, September (15 weeks): Engineering Maths 2, Automation System Design, Electrical Testing and Fault finding, HV / MV Electrical Systems, Plant Maintenance Systems, Process Instrumentation & Calibration, HV/MV Network Operations, HMI & SCADA
Stage 5 – On the Job, January (35 weeks): Project Management & Work Based Learning Portfolio, Industrial Project

The career profile of an Industrial Electrical Engineer involves the design, plan, risk assess, trouble-shoot, programme and commission of a wide range of industrial electrical systems safely and in line with all relevant Irish and EU standards. The Industrial Electrical Engineer is required to compile system and customer documentation, present proposals & analysis both within and without the company, co-ordinate work teams to achieve project success on-time and within the resources available, demonstrate systems operation, train system operators, carry out analysis & investigation, maintain, repair and constantly assess the needs for upgrading of industrial electrical systems.