Minimum entry requirements are: A grade H7/O6 or above in five Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) subjects. A minimum of grade O6 must be obtained in English.

A minimum of grade O6 or a B2 or above in Foundation level must be obtained in Mathematics. Holders of a QQI Level 5 or Level 6 (or equivalent) in cognate areas (e.g. business, logistics and distribution, supply chain management, etc.) can apply for entry onto the programme.

In addition, applicants must have a full (clean) ‘B’ Licence and be at least 18 years of age in year 1 of the programme (18 is the minimum age requirement to attain the full C and/or CE licence) Driving Licence categories.

Applicants may also be eligible to become apprentices via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). RPL processes require the applicant to provide evidence of appropriate past learning, whether that is certified or experiential learning. 

In some cases it may be sufficient for the applicant to provide copies of appropriate certificates. In other cases, there may be a self-assessment exercise, preparation of a file or ‘portfolio’ of appropriate evidence of learning, an interview, and perhaps a demonstration or assessment task. ATU (IT Sligo) would value progression opportunities from the further education sector.

One such opportunity for progression is graduates of the Traineeships linked with the freight distribution and logistics sector. Individuals who have full driving licences in the commercial categories following attendance at a Traineeship will be welcomed on this programme and will not have to attend the on-road training.

Students will be exempted from the modules associated with the on-road training. The RPL process and credits for lectures are to be determined. Consideration will be given based on the details of the course and the duration of the programme. ATU Sligo campus (IT Sligo) will apply their RPL criteria in determining credits. This determination will include consideration of earned credits, level of credits and the module learning outcomes that have been achieved by the learner.

• Core Skills

  • Achieves full HGV Rigid and Articulated drivers licence (C, CE Class).
  • Adheres to relevant health & safety requirements.
  • Demonstrates economical driving and fuel efficiency.
  • Operates relevant IT / telematic / tachograph equipment.
  • Achieves all modules of the driver’s CPC.
  • Describes the electrical and mechanical operations of an HGV vehicle.
  • Conducts a logical, structured, mechanical and electrical fault diagnosis and respond appropriately.
  • Organises and properly load, secure and unload goods on an HGV.
  • Demonstrates geographical awareness and navigation of routes.
  • Interprets, completes and maintains all relevant transportation documentation.

  Common Skills required:

  • Discuss legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements within the road transport operations sector.
  • Describe best practice around the transportation of Agriculture Livestock, Food, Car Transportation, Waste recycling, Forestry, Abnormal load haulage, General haulage.
  • Calculate weights and dimensions of cargo.       

• Transports hazardous goods under ADR – the European agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road
• Conducts transport of air freight and its heightened security and legal requirements
• Completes relevant safety qualifications around the transportation of goods to construction and other sectors
• Completes Good Distribution Practice training for transportation of pharmaceutical, medical device and allied products
• Supervises the receipt, storage and dispatch of goods
• Operates manual, electrical and mechanical goods handling equipment safely

There are over 80,000 heavy goods vehicles in Ireland (CSO), over 20,250 of these vehicles are in the haulage sector; the balance is in the ‘Own Account' sector. This programme focuses on the haulage, freight, distribution, and Own Account sectors as the key industries served by this apprenticeship. The Own Account sector is comprised of companies across many sectors including agri-food, waste management, pharmaceutical, local authorities, semi-state bodies etc.

This programme is attractive to both the haulage and Own Account sector. On successful completion of the proposed apprenticeship, a person could expect to be eligible for a position as a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Driver, Driver Trainer, Route Planner, Transport Supervisor or Driver Supervisor.

 

Building your career onwards from the Commercial Driver apprenticeship, offers a platform for you to develop your career further in supply chain & logistics. You may explore courses and further upskilling via our Transport & Logistics sector

A career pathway of opportunities are available to progress to levels 6, 7 or Level 8 programmes in TU Dublin (DIT):

1 a Level 6 CILTI CPD Diploma in Logistics Management

b Level 6 CILTI CPD Certificate in Logistics Management 

2 a Level 7 BEng Tech in Automotive Management and Technology subject to relevant work experience

b Level 7 BSc in transport and Logistics Management (CILT) 

3 a Level 8 BSc in Transport Operations and Technology

b Level 8 BSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

4 a Level 9 Executive MScs in Supply Chain Management (NITL/DIT)

Springboardcourses Freight, Logistics and Management courses NFQ Levels 7-9 

Skillnets Supply chain & Logistics Continuous professional development

Local Enterprise Offices Business & self employment enterprise supports

Local Area Enterprise supports Business & self employment enterprise supports

 

 

 

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.

This apprenticeship is managed by the Freight Transport Association of Ireland. If you are interested in the transport operations and commercial driving apprenticeship you should make contact with the Freight Transport Association of Ireland via the contact details in the ‘Find Out More' Section below.

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available on the Transport Operations and Commercial Driving Apprenticeship website

To find out more about this apprenticeship, check out the following:

Transport Operations & Commercial Driving Occupational Profile

Further information is also available from:

Aidan Flynn, Freight Transport Association Ireland

For more information visit www.cdap.ie, email [email protected] or call 018447516

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:

• Logistics and Supply Chain Industry

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.

Apprentices complete their off-the-job training in a higher education institution, for which they are required to pay a student contribution.

Student Contribution

Year 1	€800
Year 2	€800
Total Fee:	€1,600

The amount payable is a proportion of the annual student contribution for students attending a full-time course in higher education. The student contribution is paid directly to the higher education institution over the two years.