Expand+Under the present scheme an apprenticeship lasts 4 years and is divided into 7 distinct phases.

PHASE 1
On-the-Job training while working with your employer

PHASE 2
Off-the-Job training in a SOLAS training centre

PHASE 3
On-the-Job traini...

Hide-Under the present scheme an apprenticeship lasts 4 years and is divided into 7 distinct phases.

PHASE 1
On-the-Job training while working with your employer

PHASE 2
Off-the-Job training in a SOLAS training centre

PHASE 3
On-the-Job training while working with your employer

PHASE 4
Off-the-Job training in an Institute of Technology

PHASE 5
On-the-Job training while working with your employer

PHASE 6
Off-the-Job training in an Institute of Technology

PHASE 7
On-the-Job training while working with your employer

Expand+HOW TO BECOME AN APPRENTICE
• To become an apprentice and participate in the Apprenticeship Training Scheme, apprentices must be registered with SOLAS.

• To become a registered apprentice, individuals must first find employment with a company...

Hide-HOW TO BECOME AN APPRENTICE
• To become an apprentice and participate in the Apprenticeship Training Scheme, apprentices must be registered with SOLAS.

• To become a registered apprentice, individuals must first find employment with a company. The company then registers the individual with SOLAS.

• As a registered apprentice, SOLAS allocates the individual to a training centre and an Institute of Technology to complete Phases 2, 4 and 6 of the training. Phases 1, 3, 5 and 7 are completed with the employer.

Expand+What is an Instrumentation craftsperson?
The work of an Instrumentation craftsperson involves 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 contr...

Hide-What is an Instrumentation craftsperson?
The work of an Instrumentation craftsperson involves 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 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. 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 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 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

- Working with electricity and electronics

- Comply with Health and Safety requirements

- 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

- 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

- Working with a variety of specialised hand tools, power tools and equipment

- Passing all your phase exams (theory, practicals skills demonstration)

- Earning as you learn.

Expand+INSTRUMENTATION
The aim of this trade is to produce instrument mechanics. These tradespeople are responsible for the installation and maintenance of process instrument equipment. Typically instrument mechanics are employed in the following areas:
...

Hide-INSTRUMENTATION
The aim of this trade is to produce instrument mechanics. These tradespeople are responsible for the installation and maintenance of process instrument equipment. Typically instrument mechanics are employed in the following areas:

Measurement and control:
Responsible for measurement and control of temperature, pressure, level and flow, gas analysis in manufacturing industries, primarily pharmaceutical or food processing.

Environmental monitoring and control:
Process instrumentation used to measure, monitor and control water and air quality, through environmental protection agencies.

Sales and installation:
Responsible for technical sales and installation as sales representatives or technical support engineers.