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

FIT accepts a number of different entry routes to the ICT Associate Professional Apprentice Programmes depending on your own individual background. 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 Cyber Security Apprenticeship it is important to understand the commitment you will need to provide to this programme.

Apprentices will spend the first 6 months in full-time training, the next 12 months working with their employer for 3 days per week with 2 days on college day-release and the final 6 months working with their employer 4 days per week with 1 day in college finalising their certification.

Fit_Explainer_Tech_Captions from Fast Track into IT or Vimeo.

Apprentices will complete the apprenticeship programme which is of two years duration, as detailed below, to gain an Advanced Certificate in Cybersecurity at Level 6 in the National Framework of Qualifications:

1. The CompTIA Cybersecurity Pathway which includes:
   1. CompTIA IT Fundamentals
   2. CompTIA Network+
   3. CompTIA Security+
   4. CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst
   5. CompTIA Penetration Tester
2. City & Guilds transversal learning modules including
   1. Effective Communications
   2. Project Management
   3. Personal and Professional Development
3. City and Guilds Award for Professional Recognition (Information Technology)
4. Applied Learning in the Workplace (Apprentice Online Logbook)
5. A Capstone Project – Red Team vs Blue Team capture the flag workshop

The training is provided by the following institutions:

Fastrack into IT intake & course schedules

• 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
• Kerry College- Moynevalley campus

 

Skills and qualities required for this role include:

• Strong IT skills and knowledge including hardware, software and networks
• Attention to detail
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of IT systems
• A forensic approach to challenges
• A deep understanding on how hackers work and ability to keep up with the fast pace of change in the criminal cyber-underworld
• Ability to seek out vulnerabilities in IT infrastructures

IT Security is fast becoming one of the most important roles in the tech sector as cybercriminals and hackers become more and more sophisticated.

Any computer connected to the Internet is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Cyber security is the technique used to protect computers and networks from these types of intrusions and from criminal attack.

The Work:

• Implements security protocol at the development stages of software systems, networks and data centres
• Looks for vulnerabilities and risks in hardware and software
• Finds the best way to secure the IT infrastructure of an organisation
• Builds firewalls into network infrastructures
• Constantly monitors for attacks and intrusion
• When the cybersecurity specialist finds a potential threat or attempted breach, close off the security vulnerability
• Identifies the perpetrator and liaises with the police if necessary

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.

FIT is working towards creating links with providers of further and higher education to facilitate entry/advanced entry to additional programmes. These include DIT, NCI, DCU, Griffith College and CCT where the goal is to agree entry/advanced entry to the part-time Computer Science Level 8 honours degree programmes. - FIT is collaborating with ATU Sligo IT who are developing a specific Level 8 honours degree in Computer Science as a progression route from the FIT ICT Apprenticeships in Software Development and Network Engineering.

ATU Sligo IT is also developing am MSc to provide progression route for those who complete the Level 8 programme and wish to achieve a Level 9 degree. This activity will be expanded to cover the proposed Apprenticeship Programme, ICT Associate Professional in Cybersecurity.

Industries served by this apprenticeship include:

•Telecoms/technology

• Government

• Finance

• Business support

• Manufacturing

• Education

• Utilities

• Health & pharma

• Information and communication (ICT)

• Financial and insurance activities

• Manufacturing • Human health & welfare

• Public administration and defence • Wholesale and retail trade

• Education

• Professional, scientific and technical activities

• Accommodation and food service activities • Arts, entertainment and recreation

• Agriculture, forestry and fishing

• Utilities

• Construction

• Transportation and storage

• Administrative and support

In order to secure an apprenticeship, you must first secure a contract with an employer. You must apply directly to an employer rather than the training provider. Once you have found an employer to take you on as an apprentice, your employer must then register you as an apprentice with SOLAS.

• The employer must be approved to train apprentices.
• The employer must register you as an apprentice within two weeks of recruitment.

Opportunities for this Apprenticeship arise on an ongoing basis throughout the year. In order to secure an apprenticeship contract of employment, you should target companies you would like to do your apprenticeship with by applying directly to them. 

Register your interest here. 

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.

Application procedure is outlined below. 

FIT ICT Associate Professional participants are matched with a Sponsor Company within the ICT Industry who values their talent.

Companies such as Accenture, AOL, AQMetrics, Cork Internet Exchange, Fujitsu, IBM, Microsoft, SAP, Stanley Security and Version 1, have embraced this initiative, viewing it as a practical pathway to acquiring in–demand tech skills.

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

Further Information

Phone FIT at: 01 8825570             
Website: www.fit.ie      
Email: [email protected]

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

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.