The company will employ the apprentice and offer the contract of employment. An apprentice cannot attend the off-the-job sessions at TU Dublin without being first employed by a registered employer. Some general entry qualifications for the apprenticeship can be listed as follows:

• Applicant must be employed by a SOLAS approved employer within the Telecommunications sector

• Applicant must hold a Leaving Certificate with a minimum of Grade O6/H7 in 5 subjects.  Alternatively an applicant can hold a level of qualification which is deemed equivalent to the requirements in the Leaving Certificate.

• Mature candidates (23 years of age of older) as of 1 July of application are eligible

• All Apprentices must pass the Ishihara Colour Vision Test (24 Plate Edition). 

• Mature candidates (23 years of age of older) as of 1 July of application are eligible.

• All Apprentices must pass the Ishihara Colour Vision Test (24 Plate Edition).

The apprenticeship in Telecommunications and Data Network Technician involves a 24 month apprenticeship contract with an employer which incorporates both onthe job and off the job elements.

Over the lifetime of the apprenticeship a total of eight blocks, each of two weeks duration, will be spent attending class and practical laboratories at TU Dublin.

In addition during the on-the-job elements a significant period of time will be spent in the form of work based learning with the employer in order to complete the Programme modules.

 

• Customer Focus – the role is varied and individuals will frequently manage a series of tasks to ensure end-to-end continuity in the delivery and maintenance of service. Unlike other roles, the individual must be equally comfortable working in the network and in someone’s home while completing a series of related tasks
• Business Focus – In a competitive market, individuals must be aware of competitor offerings and the business environment they are operating in
• Results Focus – In a competitive environment, speed and quality are of the essence, so an individual will need to achieve a range of objectives around construction, delivery and repair times

• Innovation
• Problem-Solving
• Oral & Written Communication
• Team Work

The  Telecommunications Field Technician apprentice is concerned with the installation, commissioning, testing and maintenance of Telecommunications infrastructure and the services that utilise the infrastructure. 

Tasks and Responsibilities include: 

• Construction activity such as cabling and splicing
• Commissioning and testing of cables and associated network termination devices
• Installation of in-home wiring and wireless devices
• Installation of customer services such as broadband, telephony and TV
• Fault localisation on all of the above

Communications technology has transformed our professional and social lives and is at the heart of Ireland‘s innovation economy. From fibre broadband rollout, to 4G capability, to data centres and cloud based services, this industry is the support that provides instant connectivity to people, services, entertainment and information on demand.

The growing need for a robust, reliable and expanding communications infrastructure poses significant challenges to telecommunications companies in terms of required competencies and the availability of qualified personnel. In recent years a significant skills gap has developed in the industry, which threatens the sector’s ability to expand broadband coverage across the nation.

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.      

Career Progression Useful Links:  

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.  

From a sector perspective, apprentices can develop their careers into technician roles. Once proficient in that role, they can progress to maintaining a team of technicians or can progress into other opportunities within the sector such as project management, Telecommunication Field Technician role and furthermore into a Front-Line Manager role. - Academically apprentices can progress to a Third Level qualification at Level 7 and 8.

An example of potential courses are Electronic Engineering Level 7 in Technology Univ Tallaght and Electronic Systems at Level 8 in the TUS (Limerick Institute of Technology). There is also a Telecommunications Engineering course at Level 9 in DCU which is a potential future option for progression.

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 an apprenticeship 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

Apprentices from a registered employer must complete a statutory apprenticeship registration with SOLAS. In conjunction with the Authorised Officer, the Employer and Apprentice must complete the ‘Apprentice Registration Form’.

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.

Please check TDNE Telecommunications Data Network Technician webpage for participating companies. 

The apprentice will receive written confirmation of their registration with TU Dublin within 28 days along with arrangements for a mandatory apprenticeship briefing session.

• Consortia lead group agrees the size of the apprenticeship intake for the academic year
• All companies engaging must be registered with and approved by SOLAS
• CSG agrees general allocation of places if necessary Companies hire employees for registration
• Companies register employees as apprentices with SOLAS
• TUDublin organises induction session for apprentices
• TUDublin commences apprentice programme

Contact: Siobhan O’Callaghan

Email: [email protected] or Tel: +353 87 359 3530

Apprenticeship applicants must pass a colour vision test approved by SOLAS.

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:

• EirGrid Group
• Ericsson

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.