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
• Construction Studies
• Technology
• Physics

Please note: To become a electronic security systems 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)

• Induction
• Electrical Principles
• Intruder Alarms
• CCTV (Closed Circuit Television)
• Fire Alarms
• Access Control

• Work Based Training and Assessments

Phase 4 Delivered in Educational College (10 weeks)

• Customer Communications
• Electrical and Electronic Systems
• Intruder Alarms
• CCTV
• Fire Alarms
• Access Control 

Phase 5 With Employer

• Work Based Training and Assessments

Phase 6 Delivered in Educational College (10 weeks)

• Data Network Systems
• Electronics Systems
• Intruder Alarms
• CCTV
• Fire Alarms
• Access Control 

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 - Electronic Security Systems.

The training is provided by the following institutions:

• SETU South East Technical Unirevsity-Waterford campus (Waterford Institute of Technology)

• Further information is also available from your local Education and Training Board

   

As an Electronic Security Systems 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 Electronic Security Systems installer 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.

Core Skills

• Selection, procurement, safe utilisation of and storage of security installation tools, equipment and materials. 
• Assessment, interpretation and implementation of ETCI wiring regulations, installation inspection and testing procedures.
• Installation of plastic conduit, steel trunking and plastic trunking containment. 
• Interpretation of circuit schematics, technical data, manufacturing standards and architectural drawings which incorporate IEC symbols Interpretation of equipment assembly, disassembly and adjustment procedures. 
• Completion and updating of job-related documentation. 
• Relevant basic IT skills appropriate to the trade. 
• Awareness of Health & Safety requirements for the industry.

Specialist Skills

Installation of equipment in hazardous environments
Installation and maintenance of:

• Intruder Alarm Systems 
• Single/Multi Point Access Control Systems 
• CCTV Systems
• Fire Alarm Systems
• Intercom Systems
• Gate Automation Systems
• Perimeter Control Systems
• Electronic Tagging
• Lightning Protection systems

Common Skills

• System fault analysis skills
• Interpretation of electrical/electronic schematic diagrams
• Interpretation of flow, function and ladder charts
• Installation and programming of control systems
• Installation and calibration of sensors
• Installation of data, network and optical communication systems

Personal Skills

• Communications
• Customer relations
• Adaptability
• Teamwork
• Initiative
• Problem solving
• Planning
• Information gathering

Note: A person wishing to become an apprentice Electronic Security Systems Craftsperson must pass a colour–vision test approved by SOLAS.

Working as an electronic security systems installer, you will be required to design, plan, risk assess, install, program and commission a wide range of integrated security systems. These security systems include intruder alarms, fire alarms, CCTV (closed circuit television) systems, single and multi-point control systems, intercom systems, gate automation systems, perimeter control systems, electronic tagging and any other equipment relevant to the industry.

You will also be required to compile system and customer documentation; demonstrate systems operation; train clients and system operators; carry out system analysis and investigations; maintain; repair and constantly assess the needs for upgrading of security system

Apprentices 

• 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
• Working with technical drawings and diagrams
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Using IT (Information Technology) skills
• Completion and updating of job-related documentation
• Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
• Installation of equipment in hazardous environments
• Working with a variety of specialised hand tools, power tools and equipment
• Working Outdoors
• Working at heights
• Lifting or carrying heavy items
• Being physically active
• Taking responsibility for their own learning, including the allocation of study time
• 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.

The trade is also very transferable across the country as well as being valuable internationally.

For those with a entrepreneurial flair, starting your own business is also a desirable option.

Where apprentices and craftspersons 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 an apprenticeship 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

 

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.

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. 

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Electronic Security Systems Apprenticeship brochure.

Colour vision requirements

Electronic Security Systems 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.