Electrical - Electrical Instrumentation - Apprenticeship
Are you interested in how electronics work? Do you enjoy problem solving and mathematics? If this sounds appealing, then electrical instrumentation could be the apprenticeship for you.
| Award Name | Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
The overall duration of this apprenticeship is a minimum of 4 years provided all phases are successfully completed.
Entry Requirements
The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age.
The minimum educational requirements are:
1. Grade D in five subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Certificate Examination or an approved equivalent,
or
2. The successful completion of an approved Pre-Apprenticeship course
or
3. Three years’ work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable
It should be noted that these are the current approved minimum educational requirements for apprenticeship programmes, however, previous experience of the following subjects would be an advantage but not essential: Mathematics, Technology, Technical Drawing/ Graphics and Physics.
Careers / Further progression
Opportunities on Qualification
On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices are qualified to work within the recognised trade or profession.
Where craftspersons have the necessary ability and initiative, opportunities are available for advancement. These include advanced technology courses and management courses which are available in Institutes of Technology, Schools of Management and Professional Institutes.
Many craftspersons use their qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, owners of businesses, teachers and instructors amongst others.
Further information
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 get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.
To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs page at https://apprenticeship.ie/career-seekers/jobs. You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship.
Your local Education and Training Board may hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.
On completion of this four-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified electrical instrumentation craftsperson, with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Electrical Instrumentation.
You may then choose to either work as an electrical instrumentation craftsperson in the construction, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, food or services industries.
Many apprentices use their apprenticeship qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, owners of businesses, teachers and instructors amongst others.
What is an Electrical Instrumentation craftsperson?
The Electrical Instrumentation craftsperson is involved in the installation, commissioning, testing and maintenance of various wiring systems and services within the commercial and industrial sector. Their work also includes the maintenance and repair of all instruments used in the measurement and control of process variables (e.g. in the chemical industry to measure and control the temperature, pressure and flow, as appropriate, in various points of the process).
The Electrical Instrumentation craftsperson carries out installation, maintenance and calibration of measuring instruments, sensors, transmitting and controlling devices and systems associated with the measurement, control and protection of physical quantities found in these industries. The measurement and control of these quantities enables products to be produced to specification, taking account of the safety of personnel, plant and equipment and the protection of the environment. Electrical Instrumentation craftspersons are employed in the installation and maintenance of measurement and control equipment in pharmaceutical, food and other industries.
Personal Qualities and Skills
As an Electrical Instrumentation craftsperson you will need to be physically active and to be able to work with your hands. An awareness of health and safety and good housekeeping is essential as well as attention to detail and an eye for the aesthetic.
The Electrical Instrumentation craftsperson must have the ability to:
• Plan and organise
• Communicate effectively
• Solve problems
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Show a positive attitude
• Recognise the need for good customer relations
• Demonstrate good work practices including time keeping, tidiness, responsibility, quality awareness and safety awareness
Aspects of work
Learning and developing new practical craft-related skills, knowledge and competence
Working with and learning from experienced Craftspersons
Comply with Health and Safety requirements
Working with electricity or electronics
Understanding and using physics
Using mathematics to solve technical or scientific problems
Being responsible for controlling or adjusting equipment
Working on machines/processes
Understanding technical drawings and diagrams
Accuracy and attention to detail
Being accurate with numbers in counting, measuring and arithmetic
Working with a variety of specialised hand tools, power tools and equipment
Keeping accurate records of all calibrations or reports
Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
Taking responsibility for their own learning, including the allocation of study time
Being physically active
Passing all your phase exams (theory, practicals skills demonstration)
Earning as you learn
Apprenticeship Training Programme
Phase 1: With Employer
Induction Training
Introduction to Health & Safety
Introduction to Tools & Equipment
Introduction to Basic Skills
Phase 2: Delivered in Training Centre (27 weeks)
Course Content:
Induction
Electricity/Electronics
Installation Techniques
Measurement - Pressure
Measurement - Flow
Measurement - Level
Measurement - Temperature
Automatic Control
Related Theory
Phase 3: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 4: Delivered in Educational College (21 weeks)
Course Content:
Electricity, Motors & Motor Control and Power Distribution
Hazardous Environments
Electronics
Measurement
Final Control Elements
Automatic Control
Related Theory
Phase 5: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 6: Delivered in Educational College (11 weeks)
Course Content:
Electricity, Motor Speed Control and Measurement
Switchboards & Switch Gear
Electronics
Communications Systems
Related Theory
Phase 7: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Electrical Instrumentation