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

The Manufacturing Engineer Apprenticeship is open to school leavers, production operators and technicians who want to train or retrain in the manufacturing sector and progress along the NFQ to level 7 with any one of the 450+ Medtech companies currently established in Ireland.

Educational Requirements

• Leaving Certificate (or equivalent).
• Grade O6 at ordinary level in 5 subjects, two of which must be Maths and a language (English or Irish).
• 250 CAO points.
• In the case of a mature student (over 23 years) an industry interview is required, click here for details.  

In advance of completing an application for the Manufacturing Engineer Apprenticeship it is important to understand the commitment you will need to provide to this programme.

The Bachelor in Manufacturing Engineering is a 3-year programme for a QQI Level 7 with an approved employer, with 70% of the time spent on the job and the remaining 30% spent in an allocated course in University.

Programme Overview

The training is run by the following institutions:

• ATU Atlantioc Technical University (GMIT)
• ATU Atlantioc Technical University (IT Sligo) 
• TUS Technical University Shannon  (AIT)
• MTU Munster Technical University Cork (Cork IT)

An enquiry or application for the manufacturing engineering apprenticeship can be made on the Manufacturing Apprenticeship website.

An interest in working and learning in the MedTech and Engineering Sector is the basic requirement.

Knowledge

Core knowledge listed:

• Statistical Process control
• Design For Manufacture
• Machine Design
• Quality Management
• Quality management systems within a regulated environment (GMP)
• Raw materials, production processes, costs, and other techniques for maximising the effective manufacture of Medical Device Products
• Root Cause Analysis, Problem Solving, Implementing corrective and preventive Actions
• Continuous Improvement in Quality and Manufacturing (Lean Six Sigma)
• Mechanics and Properties of Materials
• Mechanics and Dynamics of Machines
• Industrial Automation
• Engineering Science
• Electrical Science
• Mechanical Drawing Interpretation
• Project management
• Cleanroom operations
• Metrology

Skills

Specialist Skills:

• Develop solutions to a variety of problems of moderate scope and complexity using basic engineering principles, theories and concepts
• Six Sigma Principles to drive data driven process improvement projects
• Principles and methodologies of project management and quality management to their specialist discipline
• Lead and communicate with employees to determine and deliver specific project goals and objectives
• Processes and tooling used in relation to polymer processing, in particular injection moulding and extrusion
• Essentials of spreadsheet and database technologies in order to design an effective event-based software application to address basic engineering and production requirements
• Process Planning (PP),Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP) and capacity planning
• Electrical, electronic and mechanical sensors signal-conditioning and digital interfacing in engineering systems
• Advanced manufacturing processes through the innovative application of technologies, processes and methods to product design and production
• Kaizen improvement philosophy and methodology for process and systems improvement
• Comply with the appropriate industry regulatory framework 

Soft Skills:

• Work Autonomously
• Work as part of a team and to lead a team through a technical project where necessary
• Good time management skills
• Deliver projects on time, within budget while meeting business expectations
• Engage in creative problem solving and work as an effective group member
• Appraise appropriate and available information sources applicable to particular contexts
• Ability in academic writing and referencing sources of information
• Basic principles of critical thinking / problem solving and communication skills

Competencies

Core competences and behaviours listed: eg: Honesty and integrity, Initiative, Personal commitment

• Ethics
• Communications
• Adaptability
• Teamwork
• Ability to work independently
• Decision making
• Problem solving
• Critical thinking
• Project management
• Report Writing
• Health, Safety and Environmental Awareness
• The ability for Continuous Professional Development

A Manufacturing Engineer facilitates efficient operations within the production area, to optimise existing processes, implement new processes and to ensure that production goals are met.

• Monitors performance of equipment, machines and tools and corrects equipment problems or process parameters that produce nonconforming products, low yields or product quality issues, all within a highly regulated and complex manufacturing environment.

• Analyses and solves problems from basic engineering principles, theories and initiates technical activities leading to new or improved products or process to meet strategic goals and objectives of the company.

• Applies project management methodologies and Kaizen improvement philosophy to manage production/product design and process and systems improvement respectively.

 

There are many opportunities across the Medical Devices sector in Plastics and Engineering companies for Manufacturing Engineers.

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 enterprise supports can be found below. 

On completion of the apprenticeship the Level 7 engineering graduate can progress to any Level 8 manufacturing, engineering quality, design programmes through higher education within company educational support. From an occupational point of view the apprentice can apply for all manufacturing, engineering and quality engineer roles in their company in other companies in medical technology and the engineering sector.

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
• Post Graduate options
• Higher Education Research & Innovation

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.

This apprenticeship is managed by the Irish Medtech Association. If you are interested in a Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship you should contact the Irish Medtech Association via the contact details below.

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship brochure. - click here.

Register your interest at www.manufacturingapprenticeships.ie

Further information is also available from the industry lead for this apprenticeship:

Irish Medtech Association
IBEC
84-86 Lower Baggot Street
Dublin 2

Tel: +353 1 605 1727
Email: [email protected]
Web: manufacturingapprenticeships.ie
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/manufacturing-apprenticeships

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:

• Abbott
• Bristol Myers Squibb
• Intel

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

• Ibec

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.