Before applying to this Apprenticeship, please check that you meet all entry requirements. 

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

Applications to the programme can only be submitted by registered employers. The programme is primarily designed for qualified electricians who meet the entry criteria below. The entry qualification for the Apprenticeship can be demonstrated as follows:

• Holder of the Advanced Certificate (Level 6) in Craft (Electrical)
• Holder of the Advanced Certificate (Level 6) in Craft (Electrical/Instrumentation) or Craft (Refrigeration)
• Holder of the Tus Moylish (LIT) Higher Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Level 6), or a cognate Level 6 Electrical Certificate, with relevant industrial electrical experience
• Registered Electrician with qualifications (National Craft Certificate / Senior Trades) other than in (a) or (b) above, can apply for access through the Tus Moylish (LIT) recognition of prior learning process
• Candidates with other technical /electrical qualifications equivalent to the Tus Moylish (LIT) Level 6 Certificate in Electrical Technology and relevant industrial electrical experience can apply for access through the Tus Moylish (LIT) recognition of prior learning process

In advance of completing an application for the Industrial Electrical Engineering Apprenticeship, it is important to understand the commitment you will need to provide to this programme.

The programme involves a 24 month apprenticeship contract with an employer with 70% of the time spent on the job and with two 15 week blocks spent at LIT. TU Dublin - Tallaght requires apprentices to attend one day and one evening each week, with some additional Saturday sessions during each semester.  

Contact hours while on the job will take up to 4 hours per week, which can be done in apprentice’s own time or partly at work, depending on the relevance of the project to their daily work.

The training is provided by the following institutions:

• TUS Moylish Campus (Limerick Institute of Technology)
• TU Dublin - Tallaght

Tus Moylish campus (Limerick IT) Course Content

Timeline:

• Induction
• Mentor Training

Stage 1: With Employer September (21 Weeks*)

• Work Based Learning Portfolio
• Industrial Communication and Personal Development

Stage 2: In Institute of Technology (15 Weeks*)

• Engineering Mathematics
• Industrial Electrical Control Systems
• Electrical and Instrumentation Drawing
• Advanced Electrical Workshop
• Engineering Communications and Collaborative Working
• Electrical Planning and Layout
• Electrical Machines

Stage 3: With Employer (18 Weeks*)

• Work Based Learning Project

Stage 4: In Institute of Technology (15 Weeks*)

• Probability and Statistics
• Advanced PLC systems
• Electrical Testing and Fault finding
• HV and Distributed Electrical Systems
• Energy Efficiency in Industry

       Electives (Select 2):

• Process Instrumentation & Calibration
• Industrial Maintenance Systems
• HMI & SCADA Systems

Stage 5: With Employer (35 Weeks*)

• Project Management
• Industrial Project
• Work Based Learning Portfolio

Stage 5 involves a significant time on-the-job (35 weeks) implementing the knowledge and skills gained. This stage will include a substantial work based project, supported by a module in project management along with both academic and industrial mentoring.

* indicative timing

TU Dublin - Tallaght Course Content

Semester 1

Mandatory

• Work Based Portfolio Lv7 1 Electrical and Instrumentation Drawing (CAD) Industrial Communications & Personal Development Engineering Mathematics Industrial Maintenance Systems

Semester 2

Mandatory

• Electrical Machines (Appr) Engineering Communications and Collaborative Working

Semester 3

Mandatory

• Electrical Testing and Fault-finding Probability and Statistics

Semester 4

Mandatory

• Work Based Project  Energy Efficiency in Industry Industrial Electrical Control Systems Electrical Planning & Layout

Semester 5

Mandatory

• Advanced Electrical Workshop Advanced PLC Systems Project Management - Electrical Work Based Portfolio Lv7 2 Industrial Project

Semester 6

Elective

• HV & Distributed Electrical Systems HMI and SCADA Process Instrumentation and Calibration

Entrants to this professional apprenticeship programme must be qualified electricians who wish to upskill and acquire advanced knowledge, competence and skills to move into engineering roles in Industry.

On successful completion, the Industrial Electrical Engineer will have:

Knowledge

• A thorough understanding of the theory, concepts and methods in the engineering sciences, electrical technologies, mathematics, ICT, as well as in the design and engineering practice relevant to the Industrial Electrical Engineer.
• The ability to derive knowledge and apply analysis from the electrical engineering sciences in the design of practical solutions to complex problems in the fields of electrical engineering, energy technology and industrial control systems while taking into account any inherent limitations.

Skills

• The ability to specify and use appropriate methods, skills and investigation techniques, incorporating modern computer-based design, engineering and analytical tools, to solve a range of problems within the domain of electrical engineering.
• The ability to design and plan an electrical engineering system, an electrical energy technology or an industrial control system, to meet specified needs from the business or technical communities and to carry out a techno-economic evaluation relating to performance of the design.
• The ability to monitor, analyse and evaluate electrical engineering systems and to present appropriate solutions while taking cognisance of different variables impinging on the solution.

Competencies

• The ability to act effectively under strategic direction, to participate constructively in a complex team environment and to take a lead role in the operation and functioning of work teams in a variety of working conditions and settings.
• The ability to identify knowledge gaps at both personal and professional levels and source and undertake self-learning to fill the gaps and the ability to manage their ongoing technical competence development in their area of activity.
• An understanding of the wider social, environmental, business and economic contexts within which the electrical engineer must operate and the need for high ethical standards in the practice of the profession including responsibilities towards people, society and the environment.

Whilst on the job, the apprentice will be supported by an Industry Mentor and an Academic. These will support the development of the apprentice’s portfolio of learning and the completion of a significant industry-based project.

Day to day work aspects can include:

• Selection, procurement, safe use of, and storage of craft-related tools, equipment and materials 
• Selection and utilisation of fixing devices
• Assessment, interpretation and implementation of ETCI wiring regulations, installation inspection and testing procedures
• Utilisation of electrical test instruments
• Installation of steel conduit wiring systems
• Installation of plastic conduit wiring systems
• Installation of steel trunking cable systems
• Installation of plastic trunking cable systems
• Installation of cable tray and ladder systems
• Installation of industrial cable systems
• Installation of sub-distribution boards and protective devices
• Installation and maintenance of lighting, heating and motive power systems and controls
• Installation and testing of overcurrent and earth leakage protection systems
• Installation of earthing and bonding systems
• Interpretation of circuit schematics and architectural drawings which incorporate IEC symbols
• Interpretation of technical data and manufacturing standards
• Interpretation of equipment assembly, disassembly and adjustment procedures
• Completion and updating of job-related documentation

This programme is designed for those who are already qualified electricians, and to aims to meet the particular needs of the electrical, engineering, automation and manufacturing employers in the region.

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:

Full range of progression opportunities either fulltime or part-time to Level 8 (honours) Degrees in Engineering and Technology. E.g., LIT BSc (Hons) in Electrical Systems; LIT BEng (Hons) in Facilities Engineering; LIT BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Electrical Power Systems; IT Carlow BEng (Hons) in Electronic Systems; IT Carlow BSc (Hons) in Process Engineering; IT Sligo BEng (Hons) in Mechatronics (Level 8).  

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.

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.

This apprenticeship is managed by Limerick Institute of Technology. If you are interested in an Industrial Electrical Engineer Apprenticeship you should make contact with Limerick Institute of Technology via the contact details below.

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Industrial Electrical Engineer Apprenticeship brochure.

Further information is also available from:

Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Limerick Institute of Technology

Tel: 061 293262 or 061 293851
E mail: [email protected]

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:

• ESB
• Sustainable Energy Authority

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