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

Applicants must be 18 years or older with the eligibility to work and live in Ireland. FIT warmly welcome applications from all genders, and from candidates who may have a physical or hidden disability. The following stipulations will apply to the screening of your application:

Knowledge, Skill and Personal Competence (upon application)

Candidates must be numerate and literate with the capacity to learn new skills and absorb varied product knowledge. In addition, candidates must demonstrate a capacity to work as a member of a team and display a capacity to clearly communicate with others. Each candidate must demonstrate a level of personal motivation and a clear desire to work in the field of ICT.

Secondary School Leavers (Republic of Ireland)

Candidates should have completed a Leaving Certificate with pass grades in at least five Ordinary level subjects (including Maths and English).

School Leavers (Northern Ireland or the United Kingdom)

Candidates should have completed a level of second-level education equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. This may be composed of the attainment of ‘A Levels’ subject based qualification (General Certificate of Education).

Recognition of Prior Learning

Candidates who wish to apply for entry, and who do not satisfy any of the standard entry requirements are advised that an evidenced and justifiable rationale will have to be provided for consideration to be entered into the selection process. This will include the submission of a detailed synopsis of previous educational, life and/or work experiences. The FIT Registrar or delegate will review such cases with regard to the FIT Policy on Access, Transfer and Progression.

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

The ICT Associate Professional is “learning by doing” format of ICT skills development which has been endorsed by the industry and government.

Fit_Explainer_Tech_Captions from Fast Track into IT or Vimeo.

It is a two-year programme during which candidates who are competent tech enthusiasts attain a Level 6 ICT and Professional Development Award. It involves a 6-month block off-the-job training followed by 3 or 4 days per week on-the-job training, and 1 or 2 days per week off-the-job, depending on the time of year. 

The first six months are college based where candidates will acquire the technical skills.
The remaining 18 months are a combination of workplace application and college-based learning where candidates will further their training and apply their skills and learning to live projects and tasks within their sponsoring company.

What will I study?

• Network Operating Systems
• Networking Technologies
• Internet Server Management
• I.T. Virtualisation
• Implementing an ICT Systems Policy
• Design and Plan for an Internal Network
• ICT Systems and Networks Management

Modules

• Systems Development
• Personal and Professional Development
• Project Management
• Effective Communication in Business

 To apply for our apprenticeships please click here.

View Fastrack into IT apprenticeship locations & schedules

The training is provided by the following institutions:

• Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB
• Limerick and Clare ETB
• Donegal ETB
• Dublin & Dun Laoghaire ETB
• Galway & Roscommon ETB
• Waterford & Wexford ETB
• Louth & Meath ETB
• Cavan & Monaghan ETB
• Laois & Offaly ETB
• Tipperary ETB
• Longford & Westmeath ETB
• City of Dublin ETB
• Kildare & Wicklow ETB
• Kilkenny & Carlow ETB
• Kerry ETB
• Cork ETB
  

Further information is also available from the co-ordinating provider for this apprenticeship:

Fastrack into Information Technology
7A Bellevue Industrial Estate
Glasnevin
Dublin 11

Tel: + 353 (0)1 882 5570
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.fit.ie

Or apply online on the FIT (Fast-track to Information Technology) website.

Energetic tech enthusiasts with a determination to work in the ICT sector will have:

• Logical thinking and creative approach to problem-solving
• Maintains a productive, professional and safe work environment
• Communicates effectively in a variety of situations
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Progresses allocated tasks in accordance with reporting and quality systems
• Applies strong interpersonal skills when dealing with colleagues, customers and clients
• Flexible attitude
• Ability to work independently and to take responsibility
• A thorough approach to work
• Passion for IT Network communication systems, hardware and cloud based systems are widely used across many sectors and potentially all sectors in a modern economy. 

The FIT ICT Associate Professional programme offers technical education and training grounded in practical experience, ensuring that participants are ready for work on completion. The FIT ICT Associate Professional Programme will:

• Develop in-demand tech skills
• Provide hands-on learning to attain the skills demanded by industry.
• Provide an opportunity to earn and learn
• A national qualification over a two year period equipping participants with the knowledge and capabilities to progress in ICT careers
• Lead to internationally recognised qualifications.
• Provide the opportunity to apply theoretical education and training in a real work setting helping you to build confidence in your abilities and gain independence.

A FIT ICT Associate Professional spends much of their time training with a company, helping them to effectively learn the skills needed in the work place using modern technology and equipment and getting involved in real-life work processes.

On successful completion, the ICT Associate Professional Network Engineer will:

• Understand and have the ability to apply the principles of networking, protocols and associated technologies (specifically this should include the latest published versions of OSI layer model, IP, TCP/IP, routing and switching, WANs, LANs)
• Understand the causes and consequences of system failure including load balance and storage protocols and responds appropriately
• Understand the architecture of a typical business IT system, including hardware, OS, server, virtualisation, middleware and applications
• Understand and respond to security threats, firewalls and vulnerabilities
• Understand the importance of service level agreements, standards and/or agreed response times and operates within these parameters
• Understand and operate effectively in the business environment and respond to business issues related to network engineering
• Understand and apply the applied maths required to be a network engineer (e.g. algorithms, number systems, IT-related units of measurement, probability and statistics)

Skills

• Designs simple networks from a well-defined specification and apply appropriate security products and processes
• Install and configure network components, including switches, routers and firewalls
• Can optimise the performance of network systems and services
• Can monitor, test and adjust network systems and performance to meet accepted standards using diagnostic tools, analysers and other equipment
• Applies diagnostic tools and techniques to identify the causes of network performance issues
• Can apply structured approaches to troubleshooting network issues and repair faults in hardware, software products and the network
• Undertakes system upgrades to network hardware, software and operating systems
• Integrates network related software into an existing network environment
• Can interpret written requirements and technical specifications for network activities and maintain accurate records of network maintenance activities
• Logs and responds to network service calls and provides technical network support to end users as required
• Documents work done in accordance with agreed procedures

Most ICT Associate Network Engineers will work in sectors which use computer network systems to support their activity. Others will work in the ICT sector industries who research, develop, design, manufacture, sell, install and maintain computer network systems and services.

On completion of the programme and having attained the FIT ICTAP Award, it is envisaged that candidates will take up full-time positions with the sponsoring company.

The ICTAP programme is being rolled out in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Athlone and Monaghan. FIT are actively engaging with employers to participate in the programme.

To find out more: e-mail [email protected] or by phone on 01 8825570.

Depending on your skills, knowledge and experience some of the opportunities below might be appropriate to help develop your Career pathway.   

FIT has interacted with a number of Industry/Professional and HE bodies with a view to agreeing progression pathways. 

1 Irish Computer Society ICS - it has been agreed that participants on the FIT ICTAP programme will be offered a pathway to ICS associate membership. Thereafter they will be supported to progress to full ICS professional membership having completed the prescribed quantum of continuous professional development in the sector.

2 The Institutes of Technology Ireland - FIT has met with Dr. Jim Murray of IOTI and it has been agreed that ICTAP will be discussed at forthcoming meetings of IOT registrars with the intention of facilitating progression pathways to IOT programmes at Level 7 and Level 8.

3 Individual IOTs - IT Blanchardstown and Dundalk IT. FIT has had an in-depth collaboration with ITB and more recently agreed to work with Dundalk IT. In both cases progression routes from ICTAP are planned. 

4 The Third Level Computing Forum TLCF FIT was invited to attend the most recent meeting of the TLCF to present the ICTAP programme and explore progression routes. The ICTAP was well received and follow up is planned with the heads of IT in the universities and IOTs.

5 Engineers Ireland FIT presented the ICTAP programme to Engineers Ireland and they expressed a strong intent to provide professional development pathways via their technician route with the potential to attain full membership over time

• Springboard & conversion courses  
• Post Graduate options

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 Fastrack into Information Technology (FIT). If you are interested in a network engineer associate apprenticeship you should make contact with FIT via the contact details below.

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Network Engineer Associate 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:

• Microsoft Ireland

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

• FIT

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 are not required to pay a student contribution for this apprenticeship