BellTime Magazine Autumn 2018 BellTime 10 lr | Page 8

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With a target of 1,000 participants a year by 2021 , Ireland ’ s new Tech Apprenticeships redefine the concept of ‘ hire education ’
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True to the fact that no two days are the same in the programme , apprentices will assist and deal with a wide range of customer ' s need . In their day to day work activities they can be responding to faults and fault finding to maintain customer supply , connecting new customers , both residential and commercial to the electricity network , replacing and maintaining electrical assets and installing new elements to the electricity network including overhead wires and underground cable technologies .
A critical part of the ESB Networks Apprenticeship Programme is the training and peer support given to the apprentices . Throughout the programme , apprentices work alongside and closely with experienced Network Technicians . While the job may be challenging , the apprentice is always part of a team who will be there to assist and support them throughout the programme . ESB Networks greatly fosters and encourages the idea of creating a team and peer support network .
For those , who are interested in becoming an ESB Networks Apprentice , the programme will open to applicants in the spring of 2019 , which will see a further 70 apprentice opportunities available . The programme is open to individuals over 16 years of age on 1st June 2019 .

Ireland ’ s New Two-Year Tech Apprenticeship

With a target of 1,000 participants a year by 2021 , Ireland ’ s new Tech Apprenticeships redefine the concept of ‘ hire education ’

At the time of application , candidates must have obtained the following minimum educational qualifications :
Junior Certificate ( Ordinary Level )
Grade C or higher at Ordinary Level ( or Grade D or higher at Higher Level ) in the Junior Certificate ( or equivalent ) in the following subjects :
1 ) Irish or English 2 ) Mathematics 3 ) Science * 4 ) Any 2 other subjects
or
Leaving Certificate
Grade D / O6 or higher at Ordinary Level in the Leaving Certificate ( or equivalent ) in the following subjects :
1 ) Irish or English 2 ) Mathematics 3 ) Science Subject ( Agricultural Science , Biology , Chemistry , Physics , Physics & Chemistry )*
4 ) Any 2 other subjects
FIT ( Fast Track into Information Technology Limited ) with the support of Accenture , SOLAS , Education and Training Boards and the Apprenticeship Council is the national coordinator for Ireland ’ s new and exciting ICT apprenticeships , the first of their kind in the country . FIT described the new tech apprenticeship initiative as comprising two apprenticeships at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications ( NFQ ):
> ICT Associate Professional Software Developer NFQ Level 6 > ICT Associate Professional Network Engineer NFQ Level 6
* If you have not obtained the required grade in Science , Grade C or higher at Ordinary Level in any one of the following subjects is acceptable : Technology , Art Craft and Design , Technical Graphics , Materials Technology ( Wood ), Home Economics or Metalwork
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* If you have not obtained the required grade in any of the above Science subjects , the following is acceptable at Leaving Certificate Level ( Grade D / O6 or higher at Ordinary Level ) : Art , Construction Studies , Design and Communication , Graphics , Engineering , Home Economics , Technical Drawing and Technology .
For further information on the ESB Networks Apprentice programme and entry requirements , visit www . esbnetworks . ie / careers . You can also follow us on Twitter @ ESBNetworks and Facebook at facebook . com / esbnetworks , where you ’ ll find updates on the ESB Networks Apprentice programme and stories of our current ESB Networks Apprentices .
Employer access to bespoke tech talent
International Experience indicates that ICT apprenticeships help technology businesses build a skilled and motivated workforce in a timely and cost-effective manner . All training costs of the apprentices will be covered by the State through the National Training Fund while FIT manages all aspects of the programme and coordinates employer input .
Recent research conducted by FIT reveals increased demand across a wide range of tech disciplines and that immediate job opportunities exist at entry , competent as well as expert levels , resulting in 12,000 current vacancies in the sector in 2018 , offering quality job opportunities to all ages . Employers of all sizes who engage in the apprenticeship programme gain access to adept tech enthusiasts who attain bespoke skills that enable them to be highly productive and to ' hit the ground running ' in a relatively short period .
' An amazing experience '
Daniel Chew , a participant in the pilot programme said : “ Being a part of the FIT ICT Associate Professional programme has been an amazing experience for me . I have learnt so much in the last six months in college and am very much looking forward to putting my learning into practice over the next 18 months with my sponsor company , Accenture .”