The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age.

The minimum educational requirements are:

Grade D or "Achieved" in five subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Certificate Examination or an approved equivalent,

or

The successful completion of an approved Pre-Apprenticeship course ,

or

Three years’ work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable.

You must obtain a job as an apprentice in your chosen occupation. Your employer must be approved to train apprentices and must register you as an apprentice within 2 weeks of recruitment.

In this apprenticeship applicants are required to pass a colour vision test approved by SOLAS. 

Note: 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
• Technical Drawing/Graphics
• Metalwork
• Technology and
• Physics

Please note: To become an agricultural mechanic apprentice you must pass the Ishihara Colour Vision Test (24 Plate Edition). 

For further information, contact your local Education and Training Board.

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
• Engine/Fuel
• Basic Electricity/Circuits
• Transmission Steering, Brakes & Wheels
• Starting/Ignition Systems Hydraulics
• Farm Machinery
• Introduction to Computers
• Related Theory 

Phase 3: With Employer

• Work Based Training and Assessments

Phase 4: Delivered in Educational Colleges (10 weeks)

Course Content:

• Engines
• Brakes
• Electrics & Electronics
• Tractor Hydraulics
• Steering & Suspension
• Farm Machinery
• Related Theory 

Phase 5: With Employer

• Work Based Training and Assessments

Phase 6: Delivered in Educational Colleges (10 weeks)

Course Content:

• Engine & Fuel
• Transmission & Steering
• Electrics & Electronics
• Farm Machinery
• Operator’s Cabs
• Customer Service
• Related Theory

Phase 7: With Employer

• Work Based Training and Assessments

The overall duration of this apprenticeship is a minimum of 4 years provided all phases are successfully completed.

On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Agricultural Mechanics.

 

As an Agricultural Mechanic 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 Agricultural Mechanic must have the ability to:

• Plan and organise
• Communicate effectively
• Solve problems
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Show a positive attitude
• Explain faults and repairs to customers
• Rectify faults and repairs quickly
• Recognise the need for good customer relations
• Demonstrate good work practices including time keeping, tidiness, responsibility, quality awareness and safety awareness

Note: A person wishing to become an apprentice Agricultural Mechanic must pass a colour–vision test approved by SOLAS.

Core Skills

• Farm Machinery: Carry out manufacturer’s service schedules and diagnose and rectify general faults on ploughs, cultivators, balers, wrappers, harvesters (forage, combine and beet), seed drills, mowers, hedge cutters, vacuum tankers, diet feeders, fertiliser spreaders and sprayers.
• F-gas: Describe the overall aim of Regulation No. 842/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 of May 2006 in relation to the air conditioning systems of automotive vehicles (MACs). List the dangers to personal health and related safety regulations related to the refrigerant gas contained in mobile air conditioning (MAC) systems. Describe the location of possible leaks of refrigerant gas from an automotive air con unit.
• Engine/Fuel: Diagnose engine faults. Carry out compression tests. Remove/overhaul cylinder heads. Carry out manufacturer’s service schedule. Remove and refit engine components. Set injection pump and ignition timing.
• Transmission: Remove and fit transmission components. Diagnose faults and overhaul 4-wheel drive steering axles, rear axles, manual and power shift transmissions. Diagnose faults and remove and fit clutches, driveshaft joints, bearings, chains, sprockets, pulleys, belts, bushes, and seals. 
• Hydraulic: Carry out manufacturer’s service schedule. Diagnose faults and carry out basic repairs on hydraulic systems and components. Remove and fit components. Carry out pressure and flow tests on the hydraulic system. Make up and fit hydraulic pipes and hoses.
• Electrical/Electronics: Diagnose and rectify faults in electrical circuits using wiring diagrams and multimeter. Diagnose faults in starting and charging systems. Remove and fit components.
• Brakes: Diagnose and rectify faults in mechanical, hydraulic and air braking systems of agricultural tractors and farm machines. Remove and fit basic electrical/ electronic components.
• Steering/Suspension: Diagnose faulty steering system components. Remove and fit components. Overhaul manual type steering box. Carry out steering system adjustments. Diagnose and rectify faults in a tractor front axle suspension system.
• Wheels/Tyres: Remove and fit wheels and tyres. Inflate tyres.
• Cab and Air Conditioning: Diagnose faults in cab and seat suspension systems and fit replacement parts. Disconnect and reconnect air conditioning system when removing engine and/or cab. Remove and fit air conditioning components.
• Metal Work: Make up simple components, and carry out repairs using bench fitting, gas cutting, glazing, soldering, gas welding and MMA and MIG electric welding techniques.

Specialist Skills

• Farm Machinery: Diagnose and rectify complex faults on farm machines. Calibrate fertiliser distributors, grain drills and sprayers.
• Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) systems’:Discuss and demonstrate best practice for handling of F-gases storage cylinders, the safe recovery and disposal of F-gas. Perform full servicing of an air conditioning system of an automotive vehicle to include: leak detection, recovery, vacuum and refill.
• Engine/Fuel: Test engine/PTO performance on a dynamometer. Check emissions using smoke meter. Replace diesel injector nozzles. Carry out engine overhaul.
• Transmission: Diagnose faults and overhaul CVT and hydrostatic transmissions.
• Hydraulics: Diagnose faults in and overhaul hydraulic components (pumps, motors, valves, cylinders etc.)
• Electrical/Electronics: Diagnose faults in the electronic systems of tractors and farm machines using electronic test equipment
• Air Conditioning: Diagnose faults in an air conditioning system. Evacuate and recharge air conditioning systems.
• Steering: Diagnose and rectify faults in a hydrostatic steering motor.

Common Skills 

• Engine/Fuel: Remove and refit engines. Remove and replace basic components. Bleed fuel systems.
• Transmission: Remove and refit transmissions and associated external components. 
• Hydraulics: Remove and refit hydraulic components (pumps, cylinders, motors, hoses etc.).
• Electrical/Electronics: Remove and fit complete electronic components.
• Brakes: Remove and refit brake components. Check brake system for correct operation.
• Steering and Suspension: Diagnose faulty steering system components. Remove and fit components. Carry out steering system adjustments. Diagnose and rectify faults in basic suspension systems.
• Wheels/Tyres: Remove and fit wheels and tyres. Inflate tyres.
• Cab and Air Conditioning: Remove and refit air conditioning components.
• Metal Work: Make up simple components, and carry out repairs using bench fitting, brazing, soldering, gas welding and MIG electric welding techniques.
  

• Learning and developing new craft-related skills, knowledge and competencies
• Working with and learning from experienced craftspersons
• Comply with Health and Safety requirements
• Working with vehicles
• Accepting responsibility for the quality of own work
• Being physically active
• Using the special service tools, materials and equipment
• Reading and interpreting technical instructions and diagrams
• Diagnose and repair mechanical and electrical systems
• Dismantling, examining and re-assembling mechanical systems and components
• Testing electrical and electronic systems and components
• Record and communicate accurate work records or reports
• Taking responsibility for own learning, including the allocation of study time
• Learning how machines work
• Repairing machines and components
• Being responsible for controlling or adjusting equipment
• Driving vehicles
• Working evenings or weekends
• Passing all your phase exams ( theory, practicals, skills demonstration)
• Earning as you learn

On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices are qualified to work within the recognised trade or profession. 

Opportunities arise from time-to-time for promotion to supervisor level. Many craftspersons use their apprenticeship qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, owners of businesses, teachers and instructors amongst others.

Where apprentices and crafts persons have the necessary ability, initiative and basic qualifications, opportunities are available for advancement. These include advanced technological and management courses which are available in institutes of technology, schools of management, professional institutes, etc.

Note: People in employment have a number of options for both Educational and Career Progression. It might also be possible to gain promotion within your existing company.  By using your existing qualifications and your experience you might to able to secure an alternative position in a more senior role in another company.

It may also be possible to set up your own company based again on your existing qualifications and experience.  Whatever route you decide to take remember education is a lifelong pursuit and you can always continue to up skill and/or retrain, whatever your age.  Links to some educational and enterprise supports can be found below.    

Career Progression Useful Links:  

Educational Supports:  

On completion of an apprenticeship your educational progression options may be offered as full awards on the NFQ levels 7-10 National Framework .  You may also decide to embark on a partial award or to up skill in a particular area by undertaking a short specialised course.  

Depending on your skills, knowledge and experience some of the opportunities below might be appropriate to help develop your Career pathway.   

• Springboard & conversion courses  
• Skillnet Sector learning network courses
• Skills to advance Local ETB Board
• Further education training centres Fetchcourses
• Post graduate education Search Post Graduate options

Enterprise and Self-Employment Support:

On completion of anapprenticeship if you feel you have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience you may decide to set up your own business. The links below might be useful to support you’re here

• Local Enterprise Offices, For profit Local enterprise support
• Local Area partnerships For profit enterprise support
• Social entrepreneurs: Not-for-profit enterprise support
• Franchising: Developing your business under an established franchise

In order to secure an apprenticeship, you must first secure a contract with an employer. You must apply directly to an employer rather than the training provider. Once you have found an employer to take you on as an apprentice, your employer must then register as an apprentice with SOLAS.

• The employer must be approved to train apprentices.
• The employer must register you as an apprentice within two weeks of recruitment.

Opportunities for this Apprenticeship arise on an ongoing basis throughout the year. In order to secure an apprenticeship contract of employment, you should target companies you would like to do your apprenticeship with by applying directly to them. 

To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies and a list of currently approved apprentice employers on the Apprenticeship Jobs & Employers Portal. You can search for vacancies by location, and employers in each apprenticeship.

Use this link to explore a list of Approved Employers by Region and by Apprenticeship type.

Colour vision requirements

Agricultural Mechanic Apprenticeship applicants are required to pass a colour vision test approved by SOLAS.

Finding an employer and securing your apprenticeship

Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.

Opportunities for this apprenticeship may be available from the following organisations:

• SIMI
• Teagasc

Online Jobsites

Here are some direct links to employment websites that frequently list apprenticeship vacancies.

Note: These websites may include vacancies that are not QQI accredited Apprenticeships.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn - The sector the apprentice's employer is engaged in will determine the allowance payable. These allowances are calculated on the gross wages paid by industry in each sector. The weekly gross wage norms for different industries are listed below.

Employment Salary (On-the-job)

The employer pays you a salary while you are being trained on-the-job. The rate of pay is agreed between you and your employer.

Training Allowance (Off-the-job)
A training allowance is paid by the local Education and Training Board (ETB) while you are attending the off-the-job training. In some cases, a contribution towards travel or accommodation costs may be paid.

Information on taxation of off-the-job payments can be found here

Apprentices complete two of their three phases of off-the-job training in a higher education institution. A student contribution must be paid for this part of the training.

The amount of the student contribution is a proportion of the annual student contribution paid by students who are attending a full-time course in higher education. The student contribution is paid directly to the higher education institution.

The student contribution for this apprenticeship is €1,000 for Phase 4 and €1,000 for Phase 6