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

The Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship is open to school leavers, production operators and technicians who want to train or retrain in the manufacturing sector and progress along NFQ to levels 6 and 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 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship it is important to understand the commitment you will need to provide to this programme.

This Higher Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering is a 2 year programme, with an approved employer, with 70% of the time spent on the job and the remaining 30% spent in an allocated Institute of Technology.

Programme Overview

The training is run by the following institutions:

• Atlantic Technical University - Galway (GMIT)
• Atlantic Technical University - Sligo (IT Sligo)
• TUS Technical University Shannon (Athlone IT) 
• Munster technicial University (Cork IT)  

You can send an enquiry or apply for this apprenticeship on the Manufacturing Apprenticeships website. 

An interest in working and learning in the MedTech, plastics and engineering sector.

Knowledge

Core knowledge listed:

• Quality management systems within a regulated environment (GMP)
• Raw materials, production processes, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacturing
• Root Cause Analysis, Problem Solving, Implementing Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
• Continuous Improvement in Manufacturing (Lean manufacturing)
• Mechanics and Properties of Materials
• Mechanics and Dynamics of Machines
• Industrial Automation
• Engineering Science
• Electrical Science
• Mechanical Drawing Interpretation
• Cleanroom operations
• Metrology
• Perform routine calibration of equipment

Skills

Specialist Skills (Technical)

• Use engineering principles to make data driven decisions and apply technical judgment to product design and to continuously improve manufacturing processes
• Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to create advanced 3D models and use standard parts libraries for the selection of appropriate components required for use in manufacturing and assembly processes
• Analyse basic pneumatic/hydraulic manufacturing applications and develop automated solutions using PLC (programmable logic control) technology
• Concepts, processes and legislation for Risk Management and Health and Safety management
• Perform lean manufacturing analysis (Value Stream mapping, Overall Equipment Effectiveness, Take Time Calculation, Process Throughput measurement, 5S) to identify areas for improvement, and solve problems
• Analyse, develop and implement preventive actions which proactively resolve product, process and systems issues
• Complete industry documentation aligned to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards
• Partner with project team members to create, execute and document activities associated with equipment validation and release
• Drive the troubleshooting and corrective action effort for any process issues
• Quality assurance, safety compliance systems and quality management principles needed in manufacturing and service organisations
• Configure and operate manual, automated and ancillary production equipment required for the manufacturing process 

Soft Skills:

• Time management skills;
• Creative problem solving and work as an effective group member
• Academic writing and referencing sources of information
• Proficient in both written and oral communication skill
• Apply the basic principles of critical thinking / problem solving

Competencies

• Ethics
• Communications
• Adaptability
• Teamwork
• Ability to work independently
• Reading Comprehension
• Problem solving
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Report Writing
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Health, Safety and Environmental Awareness
• The ability for Continuous Professional Development
• Health, Safety and Environmental Awareness
• The ability for Continuous Professional Development
  
  

Working as a team member to provide a technical service to produce product per organisational needs in line with all safety, regulatory and organiational requirements, the work of a Manufacturing Technician includes:

• Preparing equipment, work areas and materials and ensuring/verifying readiness of manual, automated and ancillary equipment.
• Operation and technical support of manual, automated assembly and ancillary equipment.
• Troubleshooting and repair of day-to-day manufacturing issues which may impact on efficiencies, safety or quality.
• Performing routine calibration on equipment.
• Operating of measuring equipment and other advanced metrology equipment.
• Support product development, validation and improvement projects.
• Documentation of all activities in line with GMP requirements.
• Cross train within the team and training of new members.
• Ability to work on own initiative

The Manufacturing Technician will work both autonomously and cross-functionally with Production, Operations, Engineering Support, Quality, Facilities, and Safety to ensure that the engineering activities/projects are completed as per defined project schedule. 

The manufacturing technician will also work in establishing and coordinating corrective/preventive maintenance activities for Production/Operations equipment within the manufacturing site.

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

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: Educational

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.  

On completion of the apprenticeship the Level 6 Technician, can either progress to the Level 7 apprenticeship programme or access other Level 7 part time manufacturing, engineering programmes in higher education through in company educational support. In addition, the apprentice graduate could apply for technical roles in areas of the facility such as maintenance & quality department and specialise in those areas supported by part time modularized Level 7 programmes in precision, polymer, quality engineering.

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
• Local ETB Board: Skills to advance 
• 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.

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 Technology Apprenticeship you should contact the Irish Medtech Association via the contact details below.

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Manufacturing Technology Apprenticeship brochure.

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/ 087 715 7967
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.manufacturingapprenticeships.ie
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/manufacturing-apprenticeships

You can send an enquiry or apply for this apprenticeship on the Manufacturing Apprenticeships website.

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:

• Intel
• WuXi Biologics

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.

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.