Tag Archives: apprenticeships

The number of apprentices waiting to progress to off-the job training in different phases is “worrying”, according to a local Dáil deputy. Deputy McNamara asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of electrical, plumbing, carpentry-joinery and bricklaying and stone-laying apprentices, respectively, waiting to progress their off-the-job training in phases two, four and six, respectively, across SOLAS. “There are as many people waiting as there are those who have been cleared through the apprenticeship system,2 said Deputy McNamara. “If we are going to attract those apprentices, we have to ensure that they can be guaranteed to get through their apprenticeships in the time frame set out at the start and that said time frame does not change from four to seven years in the middle. “With the increase in the number of apprentices, there are more people who need to have their apprenticeships provided for by the State. I do not know if that did not occur to the …

Councillor urges creation of more apprenticeship roles A WEST Clare councillor forecast success in the stars, as he called on the local authority to create more opportunities for apprentices. Councillor Gabriel Keating, with permission from the Mayor, read his horoscope at the December Council meeting. The prediction, he said, was that “a dynamic influence can add extra sparkle to your social life and community activities’. He then called on the authority to “expand its role in this regard with the initiation of the process for recruitment of apprenticeships into the trades and green skills”. These would include opportunities for carpenters, block layers, plasterers, plumbers, fitters, mechanics, electricians, retrofitting personnel, alternative energy technicians, and others. The Fine Gael member said the measure would help the Council retrofit its housing stock. There was a generally positive response, with Mayor of Clare, Councillor PJ Ryan describing the motion as “fantastic”. Councillor Donna McGettigan said she would like to see more women taking up …

In a break from its norm, Shannon Chamber went back to school recently to host its first apprenticeships evening at St Patrick’s Comprehensive in Shannon. The purpose of the evening was to encourage students and their parents to embrace apprenticeships as a career route and to show that there is a way into work that suits students of all aptitudes. Judging by the turnout of over 160, this was an event that touched the hearts and minds of all. The buzz in the auditorium, after the presentations by the five participating companies, pointed to a keen interest by attendees to find out more about the apprenticeship schemes run by Molex, Modular Automation, Element Six, Lufthansa Technik Shannon and Atlantic Aviation Group. The fact that most presentations were given by employees, who had practical experience of being an apprentice, added greatly to the value of the event. Process engineering manager with Molex, Michael Collins saw his career progress from toolmaker to …