Engineering - Civil Engineering Technician - Apprenticeship - Sligo & Galway City
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.
| 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 |
Duration
2 years
Duration 2 Years
Method of Delivery Blended
Campus Locations Sligo, Galway City – Dublin Road
Mode of Delivery Full Time
On-Campus Attendance Requirement
Attendance is required in campus for a 1-week residential at commencement in September. Thereafter, 1 day per month is required on campus for labs/workshops.
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 a mature applicant (over 23 on January 1st of the year of entry) does not meet the 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.
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.
Who Should Apply?
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.
Careers / Further progression
Progression
Graduates of this Level 6 programme can progress to year 3 of the Level 7 BEng in Civil Engineering by apprenticeship programme. 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.
Careers
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 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: 15 August 2025
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 the 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 a 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 – May. Semester 3: June to 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.
Further information for both prospective apprentices and employers can be obtained by contacting civilapprenticeships.sligo@atu.ie
Further information can be found at Generation Apprenticeship
Year 1
Semester Module Details Credits Mandatory / Elective
1 Surveying 101 (A) 05 Mandatory
1 Engineering Mechanics & Physics 101(A) 05 Mandatory
1 Mathematics 101(A) 05 Mandatory
1 Engineering Graphics and Computer Aided Design (A) 05 Mandatory
2 Surveying 102(A) 05 Mandatory
2 Engineering Mechanics & Physics 102(A) 05 Mandatory
2 Mathematics 102(A) 05 Mandatory
2 Building Information Modelling (A) 05 Mandatory
Year Work Based Learning 1(A) 15 Mandatory
Year Introduction to Civil Engineering & Health and Safety (A) 05 Mandatory
Year 2
Semester Module Details Credits Mandatory / Elective
1 Mathematics 201 (A) 05 Mandatory
1 Structural Mechanics (A) 05 Mandatory
1 Environmental Engineering 201: Water Management and Treatment 05 Mandatory
2 Structural Design 202(A) 05 Mandatory
2 Hydraulics 202(A) 05 Mandatory
2 Environmental Engineering 202: Wastewater Management and Treatment 05 Mandatory
2 Soil Mechanics and Engineering Geology (A) 05 Mandatory
Year Work Based Learning 2 (A) 15 Mandatory
Year Professional Practice in Engineering(A) 05 Mandatory
Year Civil Engineering Materials(A) 05 Mandatory
Recommended Study Hours per week
5/6 hours per module, per week
Mix of continuous assessment, final exam and Work Based Learning Project
For further information and to register your interest please email civilapprenticeships.sligo@atu.ie