Engineering - Mechanical Automation & Maintenance Fitting - Apprenticeship
Do you like repairing and building machinery? Do you want to work on specialised machines and equipment? You could be suited to an apprenticeship in mechanical automation and maintenance fitting.
| 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: Metalwork, Physics, Engineering, Technology, Mathematics and Technical Drawing/Graphics.
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 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 mechanical automation and maintenance fitter, with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft - Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting.
You may then choose to work as a mechanical automation and maintenance fitter in industries such as engineering, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, quarries, mines, food processing, local authorities, petrochemicals and the armed forces.
Many apprentices use their qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, owners of businesses and instructors amongst others.
What is a Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitter?
The work of the Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitter involves plant and machinery installation, maintenance and repair, replacement of broken or worn parts, adjustment and servicing. The work also involves fabrication of replacement parts using machine tools i.e. lathes, milling machines, grinders etc.
Components may have to be repaired or fabricated using welding, brazing, riveting and soldering techniques. Increasingly machines and processes involve integration of computer, electronic and programmable control systems with mechanical/ hydraulic, pneumatic systems e.g. PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), CNC (Computer Numerical Control), Robots and CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing).
Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitters require many skills including:
• Working with a variety of specialised tools - lathes, milling machines, grinders
• Working with drilling and milling machines and welding plants
• Knowledge of CNC.
• Interpreting technical drawings and diagrams
• Dismantling, Repair/Make and Fitting of new parts when performing plant maintenance
• Installation of plant and production equipment
• Condition monitoring using modern maintenance techniques
• Report writing of completed repairs
Personal Qualities and Skills
As a Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitter 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.
The Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitter 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 n Working with and learning from experienced Craftspersons
Seeing a job through from start to finish
Comply with Health and Safety requirements
Using tools and operating machinery
Being responsible for controlling or adjusting equipment
Demonstrate good analytical and troubleshooting skills
Understanding technical drawings and diagrams
Being accurate with numbers in counting, measuring and arithmetic
Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
Keeping up to date with changing technologies
Being physically active
Taking responsibility for own learning, including the allocation of study time
Working in a noisy environment
Using tools or machinery to restore/repair/fabricate parts
Working with control systems
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 (20 weeks)
Course Content:
Introduction and general workshop skills
Turning
Milling
Thermal Processes
Plant & Machine Maintenance
Fluid Power Systems
Introduction to CNC (Computer Numerical Control)
Introduction to Abrasive Wheels
Phase 3: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 4: Delivered in Educational Colleges (11 weeks)
Course Content:
Bench Fitting
Turning
Milling
Thermal Processes
Plant, Machine Maintenance & Electrical
Automation & Control
CNC Programming
Phase 5: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 6: Delivered in Educational Colleges (11 weeks)
Course Content:
Manufacturing Processes
Integrated Automation and Control
CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing)
IT (Information Technology)
Plant and Machine Diagnostics
Thermal Processes
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 – Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting