Apprenticeships
Interested in doing an Apprenticeship?
Before applying for this program you must have an agreed position with an eligible employer ready to train you.
Cork Training Centre manages apprenticeships on behalf of SOLAS in Cork City and county. If you have worked in a trade for a number of years but not as a registered apprentice, this time may be considered as part of your apprenticeship! SOLAS will consider applications for exemptions from the Standards-Based Apprenticeship programme for trade-related experience. However applicants must be registered as an apprentice before an application can be considered.
For further information on apprenticeship visit www.solas.ie or contact The Cork Training Centre Apprenticeship Services on 021 4856200.
Interested in doing an Apprenticeship?
Before applying for this program you must have an agreed position with an eligible employer ready to train you.
The Cork College of FET – Bishopstown Campus manages apprenticeships on behalf of SOLAS in Cork City and county. If you have worked in a trade for a number of years but not as a registered apprentice, this time may be considered as part of your apprenticeship! SOLAS will consider applications for exemptions from the Standards-Based Apprenticeship programme for trade-related experience. However applicants must be registered as an apprentice before an application can be considered.
For further information on apprenticeship visit www.solas.ie or contact the Bishopstown Campus Apprenticeship Services on 021 4856200.
How To Become An Apprentice
You must first obtain employment as an apprentice in your chosen trade, from either
- Local or regionally-based companies operating in the trade
- Register with our Apprenticeship Services indicating your interest in becoming an apprentice. Our staff will try to match job vacancies with registered individuals where possible.
- They satisfactorily complete an approved preparatory training course and assessment interview.
or
- They are over 18 years of age with a minimum of three years relevant work experience and satisfactorily complete an assessment interview.
Apprentices must be employed in their chosen occupation by an employer who has been approved by SOLAS. The employer must register the apprentice with SOLAS within 2 weeks of recruitment.
For More information contact Apprenticeship Services 021 4856 200
Trades Covered By The Standards Based Apprenticeships
A person wishing to become an apprentice in one of the crafts marked with * above must pass the “Ishihara” Colour Vision Test 24 Plate Edition
- 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 and Maintenance Fitting*
- Metal Fabrication
- Motor Mechanics*
- Painting & Decorating*
- Plastering
- Plumbing*
- Print Media*
- Refrigeration & Air Conditioning*
- Sheet Metalworking
- Toolmaking
- Vehicle Body Repairs*
- Wood Manufacturing and Finishing
Apprenticeship Structure
Apprenticeship StructureApprenticeships take a minimum of 4 years. The only exception is for the trade of Print Media which is a minimum of 3 years. They are generally comprises of seven phases, three off-the-job and four on-the-job. The only exceptions to the above are the Floor/Wall Tiling and Print Media apprenticeships, which have five phases, three on-the-job and two off-the-job training phases.
Off-the-job training is provided as follows:-
Phase 2 : Training Centre
Phase 4 : Institute of Technology or College of Further Education
Phase 6 : Institute of Technology or College of Further Education
On-the-job training
Employers have responsibility for providing on-the-job training in Phases 1, 3, 5 and 7.
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, a QQI advanced certificate is awarded.
Getting paid during your apprenticeship?
You will be paid an apprentice rate. The actual rates paid may vary depending on the occupation and the sector of industry in which you are employed. You should seek details of rates of pay for apprentice from your prospective employer.
You are not entitled to take holidays during your off-the-job training phases.
During off-the-job phases ,all qualifying apprentices are paid an Apprentice Training Allowance by SOLAS/ETB and where appropriate, a contribution towards travel or accommodation costs.
Special Requirements?
If you have any special requirements and need support i.e. dyslexia, numeracy, literacy, physical disabilities or medical conditions, it is your responsibility to inform SOLAS/ETB at the time of registration so that these needs can be catered for when you attend Off-the-Job training.
