APPRENTICESHIP

Apprenticeship is the way by which people are trained to become craftspeople in Ireland. The main craft trades (see Listing on the next slide) have been created by FS. FS is changing its name to SOLAS.

FS/SOLAS :Agricultural Mechanics* Aircraft Mechanics* Brick and Stonelaying Carpentry & Joinery Construction Plant Fitting* Electrical* Electrical Instrumentation* Electronic Security Systems* Farriery Floor & Wall Tiling* Heavy Vehicle Mechanics* Industrial Insulation Instrumentation* MAMF Metal Fabrication Motor Mechanics* Painting & Decorating* Plastering Plumbing Print Media* Refrigeration & Air Conditioning* Sheet Metalworking Toolmaking Vehicle Body Repairs* *A person wishing to become an apprentice in one of the trades marked * must pass a colour vision test approved by FS.

Apprenticeship Listings

Entry requirements for an apprenticeship with FS?

You must be at least 16 years of age and have at least 5 passes in the Junior Certificate. Many employers like students to have a Leaving Certificate. Your apprenticeship must be sponsored by a registered employer (FS must have the employer on their books).

How to get an apprenticeship?

You may get an apprenticeship by: 1. Checking job advertisements in the local and national newspapers or online. Many companies like ESB, the Army and Iarnod Eireann advertise their apprenticeship jobs/ vacancies through these ways.

How to get an apprenticeship?

2. Applying directly to local firms for an apprenticeship. Prepare a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and bring it with you when visiting the company in which you are interested (look at the golden pages for a list of companies). Before taking the job young people and their parents should make sure that their employer will register the apprentice with SOLAS or the Education & Training Board, to give good training including off-the-job training release. This should happen within 2 weeks of taking the apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship Training
The Government is looking at how apprenticeship training is run in Ireland and is going to make changes to it. At the moment SOLAS has responsibility for this training but big changes are going to take place in the future. The Department of Education and Skills will be responsible for these changes. See www.education.ie for more information

Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a demand-driven, workplace and classroom, educational and training programme where employers hope to develop the skills of the apprentice to meet the needs of industry and the work place. On successful completion of an apprenticeship, a FETAC Advanced Certificate is awarded; this is recognised internationally as the requirement for craftsperson status.

Choices after completing an apprenticeship

On successful completion of an apprenticeship an apprentice can apply to complete related degree programmes provided by the Institutes of Technology providing he/she also meets other special entry requirements. Details of the higher education institutes offering progression from FETAC Advanced Certificate - Craft to levels 7 and 8 are available on the FETAC website http://www.fetac.ie/fetac/documents/Progr ession_from_FETAC_Adv_CertCraft_to_HE_Courses.pdf Students can directly go into the world of work.

FS TRAINING COURSES
Many FS centres offer full/ part time courses which prepare people FS for entry into the working world. Register with local FS office after Leaving Certificate. Interview is required if demand is high for classes. Training allowance (money) is given during the course. Range in length (10weeks to 1 year) FETAC award given Contact local FS centre for lists of available courses. For more information: www.fas.ie

 These courses are for people who want to make a career/job in agriculture (farming), horticulture (gardening), horses or forestry but who do not wish to complete a third level course. There is no minimum educational entry requirement but those have completed the Leaving Certificate are most likely to benefit. You must be over 17 on 1st January following entry to the course. Paid work experience is a part of these courses. Students can follow up their study in Institutes of Technology.

TEAGASC

 Filte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Authority. There role is to support the tourism industry and work to sustain Ireland as a high-quality and competitive tourism destination. Most of Failte Ireland Courses are now run in the Institutes of Technology and require CAO application and points. They run a wide range of courses for school leavers. For many of these courses you will need an employer who will release you for these courses. For more information go to www.failteireland.ie

Defence Forces-Army, Navy & Air Corps

The Defence Forces have the job of defending the country of Ireland from external threat, that is invasion from other countries. A lot of their efforts go into helping the gardai with cash transits or patrolling the seas for illegal fishing or drug smugglers. They are involved in peacekeeping duties and have operations in Liberia, Eritrea, Chad and the Lebanon. A career with the Defence Forces will be filled with challenges where you will have to show courage, intelligence and judgement.

Defence Forces-Army, Navy & Air Corps

To apply for these positions look at www.military.ie or by writing for information to: Information for Recruitment Section, Defense Forces Headquarters, Colaiste Caoimhin, St.Mobhi Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9.

Army Cadets
Cadets are trainee officers and are entrusted with commanding a unit or an area of operation. Applicants must be at least 17 and under 28 years of age. The minimum educational requirements are 3 Grade Cs at higher level in the LC and 3 Grade Ds at higher or ordinary level papers. They must include the following subjects: Irish or English, Maths, a European language or Latin or Greek. You must complete an interview, realistic job preview and a medical and fitness test.

An Army Officer Cadetship

Line Officer or Equitation Officer is conducted in the Defense Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Camp over 15 months. The Cadet learns the basic skills required for an Army Officer before being posted to a unit. School leaving Cadets are then sent to NUIG (Galway) to undergo a degree course.

 Operations Branch and Engineer Branch are trained alongside the Army and Air Corps for the first few months. They are moved to complete their training at the Naval Base, Haulbowline and aboard Naval Ships. They complete a degree in Nautical Science or Marine Engineering (National Marine College) after commissioning.

Naval Officer Cadetship

Air Corps Officer Cadets

They are trained alongside the army and naval cadets for the first few months. They continue their pilot training in Baldonnel Air Base where they are instructed on simulators and a number of modern aircraft before being commissioned as Air Corps Officers.

Apprenticeships in the Defense Forces

The Army, Air Corps and Naval Service offer trades every year. The Army and Air Corps apprenticeships are advertised in March/April. The various Naval are advertised internally to serving personnel. Employment is guaranteed on successful qualification.

General Service Recruitment

Apply online www.military.ie or your local Barracks.

Gardai
The Gardai still have a freeze on recruitment and many small stations have closed. There role is to enforce the laws of the land and work to prevent crime and encourage positive and responsible behaviour.

Gardai- Entry Requirements

If you are interested you can register this on www.publicjobs.ie provided you are over 18 and under 34. You no longer need Irish as an entry requirement but you will have to do it as part of training. The requirements are to have English and another language (Irish, Polish, Lithuanian or Chinese). They like to recruit mature students and those who have third level qualifications. These students will start at a higher point on the scale.

Gardai- Entry Requirements

You need to be fit and they like to see some involvement in team sports and in your local community. After your training and 3 years in the general service you can apply to join some of the specialised sections like the Drug Squad, Emergency Response Unit, etc. To help your chance of entry, join the Garda Reserves, a voluntary part-time police force that supports the gardai in their work.