BellTime Magazine Autumn 2018 BellTime 10 lr | Page 7

BellTIME
BellTIME
See your career going places with the
ESB Networks
Apprenticeship Programme
“My apprenticeship journey so far at ESB Networks
has been hugely rewarding and I would encourage
anyone looking for a great career where they can
make a difference to consider an apprenticeship
for an exciting and rewarding training experience”
Joseph O’Sullivan, a current ESB Networks apprentice.
In 2015, ESB Networks announced a five-
year plan to recruit new apprentices as part
of a large-scale recruitment and
development programme. Since then, over
200 apprentices have been recruited.
This year’s ESB Networks Apprenticeship
Programme recruitment campaign received
6,400 applications, highlighting the level of
interest in the programme and a career that
is diverse and challenging.
As an Apprentice Network Technician
(Electrician), recruits receive on the job
training, working as part of front-line teams,
as well as classroom-based learning.
Apprentices benefit from varied work
experience, working indoors and outdoors,
and learning about technology, customer
service, and delivering results under
pressure. They learn a variety of electrical
and practical skills and, upon completion of
the programme obtain a QQI Advanced
Level 6 Electrical Trade Certificate.
The ESB Networks Electrical
Apprenticeship is SOLAS standards-based,
consisting of 208 weeks over four years.
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During this time, there are seven SOLAS
phases and ESB Networks off job training,
including phases 1, 3, 5 and 7 are on the
job, working closely with a qualified
Network Technician on varied sites across
ESB Networks. The SOLAS phases 2, 4
and 6 consist of off the job training
modules, with phases in a SOLAS Training
Centre and one of the IT Colleges around
the country. Finally, there are 24 weeks of
ESB Networks off the job training which
takes place in the ESB Networks Training
Centre, Portlaoise.
Having completed the four-year
programme, apprentices will have gained
experience working with a leading utility
company. ESB Networks serves 2.3 million
customers in Ireland, providing a safe and
reliable electricity supply to homes,
businesses and communities throughout
the country - ESB Networks apprentices
play an important part in delivering this
service. Customer service is at the heart of
ESB Networks, through their experience,
ESB Networks apprentices will be at the
fore in delivering and providing services to
our customers.
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