Engineering - Civil Engineering Technician - Apprenticeship - Sligo
Launched in 2023, this exciting programme creates an alternative career path to the Civil Engineering profession in Ireland. The civil engineering apprenticeship programme is transformational, and over time, will bridge the shortfall in supply of engineers in Ireland, providing those skills critical to the delivery of Ireland's bold infrastructural plans.
| Award Name | Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Atlantic Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | Atlantic Technological University | Level 6 NFQ |
Entry Requirements
To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices will get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.
To undertake this apprenticeship you must:
Be at least 18 years of age
Have a QQI Level 5 (or equivalent).
Have a Pass Grade in Maths at Level 5 (or Equivalent).
Non-Standard Entry
In the case where an applicant does not meet the educational requirements specified above, acceptance on a case by case basis will be based on an interview process to determine previous experiential learning, the student’s suitability to the subject area and their commitment to achieving the minimum intended programme learning outcomes.
Further to the above requirements, applicants should have:
An interest in Civil Engineering and the built environment.
An interest in Mathematics and problem solving.
Solid literacy, verbal, and numeracy skills.
Ability to plan and prepare work.
Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
Good computer skills.
Good interpersonal skills.
Be safety focused.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
To find an apprenticeship, you can search for apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs Page (Generation Apprenticeship). You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship.
This is a selection of Solas approved Employers for the Civil Engineering Apprenticeships.
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
You may choose to work as a civil engineering technician in the following sub-sectors of the construction industry:
• Government agencies & Local Authorities – the clients responsible for commissioning projects and managing assets
• Consulting – supporting clients to design and manage construction projects
• Contractors – constructing the assets e.g. buildings, bridges, reservoirs etc
• Suppliers – providing specialist materials and products to contractors
Projects include the design and construction of civilian infrastructure from buildings such as hospitals and schools to transportation and utilities networks.
Further Study
Graduates of this Level 6 programme can progress to year 3 of the Level 7 BSc in Civil Engineering by apprenticeship programme (Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering by Apprenticeship - Atlantic Technological University Sligo (itsligo.ie). Atlantic Technological University is currently developing a Level 8 honours degree and Level 9 master’s in civil engineering by way of apprenticeship. This will complete a suite of civil engineering programmes by way of apprenticeship providing progression pathways from Level 6 to Level 9.
You may also use the qualification to progress within the sector and/or to higher education programmes.
It is envisaged that advanced entry onto the Level 8 Apprenticeship programme will be available to candidates who hold a Level 7 in Civil Engineering.
Further information
All tuition fees are paid by the National Training Fund. However, there is a student contribution for this programme of €1200 per year.
If your employer is paying this contribution directly, please contact civilapprenticeships.sligo@atu.ie for further information.
Application Closing Date : 16th August 2024
With a minimum of 3,000 new civil engineers needed to ensure the successful delivery of Project Ireland 2040, the National Development Plan, the Climate Action Plan 2019, Housing for All & Active Travel investment, the Civil Engineering Consortium was formed to develop formal qualifications in this space by way of apprenticeship and thus increase the uptake of Civil Engineering as a profession.
Launched in 2023, this exciting programme creates an alternative career path to the Civil Engineering profession in Ireland. The civil engineering apprenticeship programme is transformational, and over time, will bridge the shortfall in supply of engineers in Ireland, providing those skills critical to the delivery of Ireland's bold infrastructural plans.
On completion of this two-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified civil engineering technician, with an NFQ Level 6 Higher Certificate in Civil Engineering.
Apprentices attend online lectures one day per week (fixed day each semester) and an additional day per month on campus (for labs and workshops). The other three/four days per week will see the apprentices in the workplace learning 'on the job'. Apprentices will get hands-on experience of the modules they are studying while in their workplace, giving them a deeper understanding of what they are doing and why they are doing it.
There are 3 semesters each year (Semester 1: September – December. Semester 2: January to May. Sem 3: June - August). During semesters 1 & 2 apprentices attend lectures and workshops as above. Apprentices complete their work based learning and on the job training during semester 3.
These Apprenticeship programmes are earn-and-learn models, designed to develop apprentices’ skills and knowledge, building a competent workforce in the sector, and addressing the severe skills shortage being experienced by the industry.
The apprenticeships are open to a wide range of employers, from contractors, consultants, local authorities, specialist suppliers and utilities companies, across all counties in Ireland.
Apprentices will be trained and assessed both on and off the job.
On the Job training will be carried out with the support of their industry mentor and will include:
• Apprentice Workplace Logbook
• Case Studies
• Technical Projects
• HR Performance Reviews
Off the Job training will include:
• 1 week residential (week one)– Project based learning.
• Lectures delivered online on 1 full day (8hrs) per week.
• Apprentices will attend campus on 1 additional day (Friday) per month to carry out Labs/ workshops.
The successful completion of the programme will add value to both the apprentice and the employer. The apprentice will have, at the end of their programme, gained the educational base for professional registration with Engineers Ireland at Associate Engineer Level.
Year 1
Residential Week Introduction to Civil Engineering and H&S
TERM 1 SEPT - DEC
• Engineering Graphics and CAD
• Mathematics 101
• Engineering Mechanics and physics
• Surveying 101
TERM 2 JAN – MAY
• Building Information Modelling
• Mathematics 102
• Engineering Mechanics and Physics 102
• Surveying 102
TERM 3 JUNE-AUG
WORK BASED LEARNING
Year 2
Residential Week Professional Practice in Engineering and SDG’s
TERM 1 SEPT - DEC
• Civil Engineering Materials
• Mathematics 201
• Structural Mechanics
• Environmental Engineering 201
TERM 2 JAN – MAY
• Hydraulics 202
• Soil Mechanics and Geology
• Structural Design
• Environmental Engineering 202
TERM 3 JUNE-AUG
WORK BASED LEARNING
Further information for both prospective apprentices and employers can be obtained by contacting civilapprenticeships.sligo@atu.ie