Engineering - Metal Fabrication - Apprenticeship
Are you interested in a job where you are physically active and working with your hands? Do you enjoy metal work and using power tools? Metal fabrication could be the right 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: 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 apprentices and 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 apprentices use their apprenticeship 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.
With this four-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified metal fabricator, with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Metal Fabrication.
You may then choose to work as a metal fabricator in industries such as constructional steel; pressure vessels; tank and boiler manufacture; ship building and ship repair; and general engineering.
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 a Metal Fabricator?
The Metal Fabricator’s work involves the installation and manufacture of a range of metallic systems to include pressure vessels, tank and boiler manufacture, structural steel systems, plate steel systems and piping systems. Metal fabricators can shape steel components with the aid of thermal cutting equipment and a range of machinery used in bending, folding and cutting metal plate and pipe components.
Thermal processes such as MMA (Manual Metal Arc) welding, TIG/TAG (Tungsten Inert Gas and Tungsten Active Gas) welding MIG/MAG (Metal Inert Gas and Metal Active Gas welding and oxy acetylene welding and brazing are skills used by the metal fabricator.
Metal Fabricators require many skills including:
• Working with a variety of specialised hand and power tools
• Knowledge of a range of metal fabrication processes
• Performing a range of welding processes
• Interpreting technical drawings and specifications
• Measuring, marking out, cutting and welding mild steel, stainless steel, alloy steels and aluminium plate and pipe
• Installation of structural steel systems
Personal Qualities and Skills
As a Metal Fabricator 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 Metal Fabricator 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
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 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
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 (22 weeks)
Course Content:
Plate and Pipe Fabrication
Thermal Processes
Structural Fabrication
Fabrication Drawing
Communications & Team leadership
Phase 3: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 4: Delivered in Educational Colleges (11 weeks)
Course Content:
Thermal Processes
Plate and Pipe Fabrication
Structural Fabrication
Fabrication Drawing
Communications & Team leadership
Phase 5: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 6: Delivered in Educational Colleges (11 weeks)
Course Content:
Thermal Processes
Plate and Pipe Fabrication
Structural Fabrication
Fabrication Drawing
Communications & Team leadership
Phase 7: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
You will be assessed throughout your apprenticeship by a range of assessment instruments. These include theory, practical and skills demonstration assessments.
On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Metal Fabrication.