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.

Please note: To become an apprentice you may need to pass the Ishihara Colour Vision Test (24 Plate Edition). For further information, contact your local Education and Training Board.

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.

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:

• Art
• Technical Drawing/Graphics
• Construction Studies
• Technology
• Mathematics

Phase 1: With Employer

• Induction Training
• Introduction to Health & Safety
• Introduction to Tools & Equipment
• Introduction to Basic Skills

Phase 2: Delivered in Training Centre (26 weeks)

Course Content:

• Induction
• Banker Stonecutting
• The stone built environment
• Technical drawing & craft calculations
• Fabrication and fixing
• Lettering techniques
• Stone carving
• Conservation

Phase 3: With Employer

• Work Based Training and Assessments

Phase 4: Delivered in Educational Colleges (10 weeks)

Course Content:

• The stone built environment
• Technical drawing & craft calculations
• Science and technology
• Banker stonecutting
• Fabrication and fixing
• Lettering techniques
• Relief carving Conservation

Phase 5: With Employer

• Work Based Training and Assessments

Phase 6: Delivered in Educational Colleges (10 weeks)

Course Content:

• Engraving and carving
• Fixing
• Conservation and restoration
• Ecclesiastical architecture

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 – Stonecutting & Stonemasonry.

The training is run by the following institutions:

• Kerry Education and Training Board
• ATU - Sligo campus (IT Sligo)
• TUS Moylish Campus (Limerick Institute of Technology)

 

As a Stonecutter and Stonemason you will need to have good eye/hand coordination and good dexterity. Stonecutters and Stonemasons need strong practical skills and a logoical, well-organised and thorough approach to their work. They also need the ability to follow technical drawings. You must be able to work safely in a hazardous environment.

The environment is often noisy and can be dangerous, so you need to be careful when using equipment and machinery.

Physical fitness is necessary as the work involves a great deal of bending, kneeling, standing, heavy lifting and working in cramped and awakward spaces. 

You must enjoy seeing a job through from start to finish. 

The Stonecutter and Stonemason must also 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

Stonecutting and Stonemasonry specialists work in a cross-section of domains within the overall craft such as: 

• Cutting stone with hand tools and stonecutting machinery
• Interpreting technical drawings and diagrams
• Stonecutting, stone finishing, monumental stone engraving, lettering techniques, stone carving, decorating and restoring stone
• Mechanical fixing and coping stones for piers
• Conservation and restoration of stone
• Extracting and quarrying techniques

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
• Understanding drawings and diagrams
• Working outdoors
• Using tools or machinery
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
• Working at heights
• Lifting or carrying heavy items.
• Taking responsibility for own learning, including the allocation of study time.
• Being physically active
• Stretching, bending and kneeling
• Working in cramped and awkward spaces
• 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. 

Apprenticeships available here.

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:

• 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.

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.

Your local Education and Training Board may hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Stonecutting & Stonemasonry Apprenticeship brochure

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:

• Construction Industry Federation

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.

Connect trade Union

Apprentices are not required to pay a student contribution for this apprenticeship.