To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must:

• Be employed with a SOLAS approved Employer

• Be at least 16 years of age

• Have a minimum of grade D in 5 subjects at level 3 on the National Framework of Qualifications to include a pass in English and Maths

• Have evidence of CEFRL [Common European Languages Framework] level B2 minimum if English is not a first language

• Current Valid Safe Pass

• 3 months on site experience

• Non-EU residents will be subject to a Stamp 4 working visa GNIB Stamp Status Information 

If an applicant doesn't meet the requirements, he/she may still register as an Apprentice with an employer if he/she is over 18 years of age and has at least two years' relevant work experience in the construction industry. Such applicants may be required to complete a suitability assessment/interview.

Recognition of Prior Learning (Experienced Scaffolders)

• Must have a minimum of 4 years' experience and hold a valid CSCS Card or equivalent 

• Must attend a series of workshops 

• Undertake a Knowledge Test 

• Undertake a Practical Assessment

• Non-EU residents will be subject to a Stamp 4 Working Visa.

 

This is a two-year practical programme with eight modules, developed in consultation with industry. As part of this programme, Apprentices will engage in on-the-job training with a SOLAS approved employer. Off-the-job training will take place in the classroom.

8 Modules at NFQ level 5 over 2 years: 

Year 1 / Stage 1

✔ Basic Scaffolding Principles

✔ Developing the Scaffolder (Personal and Professional)

✔ Industry Skills for Scaffolders

✔ Scaffolding Erection and Dismantling

Year 2 / Stage 2

✔ Scaffolding Compliance

✔ Management and Control of Scaffolding

✔ Complex Structures

✔ Capstone

As a scaffolder you must enjoy working as part of a team and be careful in your work.

1. Work as a team member

2. Ability to work independently and on their own initiative

3. Problem Solving

4. Planning

5. Information gathering

6. Health & Safety

7. Assertiveness and Confidence

8. Resilience

9. Critical thinking

10. Creativity

11. Competency and willingness to work in confined spaces

12. Working at heights

Scaffolders erect and dismantle scaffolding that allows workers to reach the higher levels of buildings during construction, cleaning and renovation projects. Scaffolders must also undertake safety checks and inspections to ascertain any faults and rectify if necessary.

Scaffolders work in a Diverse range of work: Entertainment/Events, Commercial, Residential, Offshore, and Industrial work settings.

 

 

Scaffolders must also maintain a safe working environment to include safe storage of excess scaffolding equipment.

Scaffolding duties would include:

• Unloading scaffolding equipment at site.

• Setting base plates on the ground at regular intervals to spread the load. 

• Putting up the scaffolding poles (standards) and attaching the horizontal tubes, ledgers and transoms or using a variety of System Scaffold options.

• Fixing the scaffolding to the building or structure to make it more stable, using short “tie tubes”. 

• Laying planks, securing as required, (battens) across the scaffolding for workers to walk on.

• Fixing guard rails and safety netting.

• Taking down the scaffolding after a job is finished.

• A Scaffolder may also use scaffolding methods to put up temporary spectator stands, stages or gantries at public events.

• A Scaffolder could also build the scaffold around the formwork and shuttering that holds setting concrete in place on large structures like bridges.

Scaffolders work in a Diverse range of work:

• Entertainment/Events

• Commercial

• Residential

• Offshore

• Industrial work settings

Scaffolders can explore progression options while in employment or options of self exployment on a contractor basis.This can be in diverse settings as Entertainment/Events, Commercial, Residential, Offshore, and Industrial.

Professional Development

Further Education & Training courses Course & Training pathways of development full & part time in FET centres in upskilling & enterprise development up to NFQ level 6 search our FET coursefinder.

CIF Construction Industry Federation training.

Skillnets Network: Construction & Engineering Networking & professional development.

Enterprise Self employment   

Local enterprise offices. 

Local Area Partnerships Enterprise support. 

 

A Scaffolding Apprenticeship has an ongoing intake. once you meet the elgibility criteria, secure your SOLAS aaproved employer, you can apply at any time during the year. 

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.

Further information is also available from:

Yvonne Kearney

National Construction Training Campus

Mount Lucas

Daingean

R35 XW10

Tel: 057 9362508

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.mountlucas.ie

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:

• Construction Industry Federation

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.

Apprenticeship Fees 

• Apprentices are not required to pay a student contribution for this apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship Salary 

• Salaries during your Apprenticeship Information on taxation of off-the-job payments can be found here.