Craft Occupations
Apprenticeship applies to the following crafts:
Agricultural Mechanics Aircraft Mechanics Brick & Stonelaying Carpentry & Joinery Construction Plant Fitting Electrical Electrical Instrumentation Electronic Security Systems Farriery Floor & Wall Tiling Heavy Vehicle Mechanics Industrial Insulation Instrumentation	Mechanical Automation & Maintenance Fitting Metal Fabrication Motor Mechanics Painting & Decorating Pipefitting Plastering Plumbing Print Media Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Sheet Metalworking Stonecutting & Stonemasonry Toolmaking Vehicle Body Repairs Wood Manufacturing & Finishing

 

Kildare Region Contact
Breda Reilly, Senior Training Advisor Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board Level 5, Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas, Co. Kildare Tel: 086 885 0109 Email: bredareilly@kwetb.ie

 

Wicklow Region Contact
Ann McLoughlin, Senior Training Advisor Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board Arklow Further Education and Training Centre Fernhill Plaza, Wexford Road, Arklow, Co. Wicklow Tel: 087 6406020 Email: annmcloughlin@kwetb.ie

How to become an Apprentice

You must obtain employment as an apprentice in your chosen occupation.  Your employer must be approved to train Apprentices and must register you as an apprentice within 2 weeks of recruitment.

Entry Requirements

The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age.

The minimum educational requirements are:

1. Grade D in five subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Certificate Examination or an approved equivalent.

Or

The successful completion of an approved Pre-Apprenticeship course

Or

Three years’ work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable.

 

2. You must obtain employment as an apprentice in your chosen occupation. Your employer must be approved to train apprentices and must register you as an apprentice within 2 weeks of recruitment.

In certain crafts, apprenticeship applicants are required to pass a colour vision test approved by SOLAS.

SOLAS has statutory responsibility under the Industrial Training Act 1967 for the Administration and Management of the Apprenticeship Programme.

Apprenticeship is a standard based Education and Training Programme.  During your apprenticeship you will be required to follow a specific course of Training and undergo a series of Assessments to confirm that you have reached the required Industry Standard.