Engineering - Toolmaking - Apprenticeship
Do you carry out tasks with precision and attention detail? If you enjoy building things from instructions, a career as a toolmaker could be what you’re looking for.
| 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.
With this four-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified toolmaker, with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Toolmaking.
You may then choose to work as a toolmaker to produce machine tools used in industries such as engineering, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, food processing, petrochemical 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 Toolmaker?
A Toolmaker is a skilled worker who produces and maintains precision tools used in the production of metal, plastic and other materials of all shapes and sizes. The work of a toolmaker involves interpreting drawings and technical data to machine and assemble jigs, fixtures, moulding tools, dies and punches. Care and attention to detail and high precision are the hallmark of toolmaking.
Toolmakers work to high specifications and quality requirements to produce machine tools used in manufacturing. Manufacturing industries use the tools to make a diverse range of parts and products.
Toolmakers also make moulds to form shapes, jigs to guide cutters or hold a part in place, and dies, which are shaped blocks that are used to cut, stamp or press materials.
Toolmakers require many skills including:
• Accuracy with measurements and calculations
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings to plan the production of a given part or product in accordance with manufacturers specifications.
• Operating a range of milling and boring machinery, lathes and CNC equipment in the manufacture of parts and products based on the drawings specified
• Assembling of manufactured parts ensuring correct and accurate assembly of finished components.
• Use of a range of hand and power tools
• Testing finished product and assessing for accuracy in accordance with specified drawings.
• Implementing all relevant health and safety legislation in their work practices
• Use of manufacturing machinery and measuring equipment
Personal Qualities and Skills
As a Toolmaker 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 Toolmaker 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 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:
Induction
Bench Fitting
Turning
Milling
Surface Grinding
Press Tools, Jigs & Fixtures, Mouldmaking
Introduction to CNC
Phase 3: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 4: Delivered in Educational Colleges (11 weeks)
Course Content:
Turning
Milling
Surface Grinding
Engineering Steels, Mouldmaking, Jigs & Fixtures
CNC (computer numerical control) Programming, Operations
and Computers
Phase 5: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 6: Delivered in Educational Colleges (11 weeks)
Course Content:
Machining+Press Tools & Polymer Forming Techniques
CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided
Manufacturing)
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 - Toolmaking.