Apprenticeship

Course details

IT Carlow delivers apprenticeship training on behalf of FÁS in four trades:

• Electrical Installation
• Instrumentation
• Electrical Instrumentation
• Carpentry & Joinery

The present standards-based apprenticeship scheme is run by FÁS. Under the present scheme an apprenticeship lasts 4 years and is divided into 7 distinct phases:

• Phase 1: On-the-Job training while working with your employer
• Phase 2: Off-the-Job training in a FÁS Training Centre
• Phase 3: On-the-Job training while working with your employer
• Phase 4: Off-the-Job training in an Institute of Technology
• Phase 5: On-the-Job training while working with your employer
• Phase 6: Off-the-Job training in an Institute of Technology
• Phase 7: On-the-Job training while working with your employer

The duration of each Phase varies from trade to trade. However, in almost all trades apprentices attend an Institute of Technology for Phases 4 and 6.

Advanced Certificate - Craft

Apprentices who successfully complete all 7 phases are conferred with an Advanced Certificate - Craft by FETAC (Further Education and Training Council). Only holders of a National Craft Certificate can be registered as qualified craftspersons.

What will I be able to do when I finish the course?

Trade of Electrician

The aim of this trade is to produce qualified electricians. The most common areas of employment for electricians are:

• in the Electricity Generation and Distribution field where they are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the country’s power stations and power distribution networks.
• in the Contracting field where they are responsible for the installation of power, computer and security cabling systems in homes and commercial premises.
• in the Electrical Maintenance field where they are responsible for the maintenance of the electrical services, motors and automation equipment within a company.

Trade of Instrument Mechanic

Instrument mechanics are responsible for installation and maintenance of process instrument equipment. Process instrument equipment is typically found in Food Processing and Pharmaceutical industries, where it is typically used to measure and control temperature, pressure, level, flow, etc; and to analyse gases. Process instrumentation is also extensively used by environmental protection agencies to monitor water and air quality. Instrument mechanics generally find employment in instrument supply companies as technical sales representatives or technical support engineers. In these roles they specify and install process instruments in customer plants.

Trade of Electrical Instrumentation Technician

Technician Electrical Instrumentation Technicians are typically employed by Food Processing and Pharmaceutical companies. In these companies they have a dual responsibility: they maintain the electrical services and plant, a task previously undertaken by electricians; they are also required to calibrate and maintain the process instrumentation equipment, a task previously undertaken by Instrument Mechanics.

Trade of Carpenter and Joiner

Carpenter and Joiners provide an essential support to the Civil Engineering and Construction industry. The demand for Carpentry and Joinery technicians exceeds supply not just in the housing area but in Civil Engineering and Construction generally, including the provision of road structures, shopping malls and office accommodation.

What are the minimum entry requirements?

• To become an apprentice and participate in the Apprenticeship Training Scheme, apprentices must be registered with FÁS.
• To become a registered apprentice, individuals must first find employment with a company. The company then registers the individual with FÁS.
• As a registered apprentice, FÁS then allocate you to a Training Centre and to an Institute of Technology to complete Phases 2, 4 and 6 of your training.

Phases 1, 3, 5 and 7 are completed with your employer.