Is an apprenticeship the right career for you? Many options now open

College isn’t for everyone: If you are considering undertaking an apprenticeship, Thermo Fisher Scientific and ESB Networks are currently recruiting applicants for their electrical, instrumental and mechanical apprenticeships. Minimum requirements include age and official exam credentials.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

The global life sciences company Thermo Fisher Scientific are seeking applicants from across Munster, for their four-year salaried programme. Delivered in partnership with further education and training agency SOLAS, applications are open until 24 March.

Eligible applicants

The apprentice programme is open to applicants with a minimum of five Leaving Certificate ordinary level subjects – including maths and English. Leaving Certificate physics or chemistry, design and communications graphics, engineering or technology is an advantage.

Insights into the apprenticeship

The apprentices’ time will be divided between the Cork site and third-level institutes. Successful apprentices will be awarded an internationally recognised apprenticeship (Level 6 Advanced Certificate) at the end of the programme.

Lead craftsperson and apprentice programme coordinator at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Declan Carroll says: “The apprenticeship programme provides participants with a valuable opportunity to embark on a career in STEM.

“The electrical and instrumentation apprentices and mechanical apprentices form a core part of the greater Thermo Fisher Scientific team, aiding in the maintenance of site facilities, assisting to design, install and test new apparatus that keep our operations going.”

Declan highlights the practical element of the programme. “We appreciate that people like to learn in different ways, and this programme provides people with a chance to actively learn on the job, applying what they have learned in real-life settings and earning a salary while doing so.”

ESB Networks

ESB Networks is seeking to recruit up to 96 new electrical apprentices to join the ESB Networks’ Electrical apprenticeship programme. Applications are open until Tuesday, 28 March.

Eligible applicants

This apprenticeship programme is open to applicants aged 16 or over on, or before, 1 June 2023. Once you meet the minimum age requirements, you can apply for the apprenticeship programme using your Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate or Leaving Certificate Applied.

About the programme

The four-year paid programme combines college-based learning and hands-on experience within the organisation. Upon completion, apprentices obtain a QQI Advanced Level 6 Electrical Trade Certificate, which is recognised internationally.

Speaking about the announcement of this year’s programme, Nicholas Tarrant, managing director, ESB Networks, says: “It is a really exciting time to be joining ESB Networks as an apprentice as everyone across the organisation works together to support our transformative drive to achieve the targets set out in our Networks for Net Zero Strategy. Apprentices play a crucial role in this by ensuring we have the skills and expertise necessary to deliver the electricity network for Ireland’s clean electric future. I look forward to welcoming our new team members later in the year.”

Apprentice testimonial

Caoimhe Ryan, who is currently in the electrical and instrumentation apprenticeship programme, says: “What drew my attention to Thermo Fisher Scientific’s apprenticeship programme was having the ability to earn and learn at the same time. As an apprentice, we get to see engineering put into action every day. What I enjoy most about the programme is, not only do we get the opportunity to learn the theoretical side of the industry and how things work, but we get to apply our learnings and put them into practice straight away.”

For more Information or to apply visit https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/ireland-apprentice-programme.

Apprentice testimonial

Zara Bloomer, a fourth-year apprentice on the ESB Networks’ programme, provides an insight into her experience: “My experience so far has been hugely positive. The apprenticeship programme is a great opportunity to get on-the-job experience and every day is different. You learn so much through the support of mentors and teammates, and it is great to see how my role can help ESB Networks deliver a net zero future. I would highly recommend both young women and men to apply, you will have no regrets.”

To learn more about apprenticeships visit https://www.esbnetworks.ie/esb/careers/apprenticeships

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