Posted by: CareersPortal

Manufacturing Engineer Apprenticeship

What work does a Manufacturing Engineer do?

Manufacturing Engineers work to ensure the efficient operation within the production areas of a wide variety of manufacturing companies. They are tasked with optimising the manufacturing processes, to plan and implement any changes and new processes to ensure that production goals and targets are met.

Manufacturing Engineers monitor the performance of equipment, machines and tools. They also fix any equipment problems to ensure that low yields or product quality issues are avoided.

What skills and qualities are needed to work as a Manufacturing Engineer?

Manufacturing Engineers should be mechanically minded individuals who possess good mechanical engineering skills. Strong Mathematics and design skills are also desirable for this role. Due to the nature of some of the machinery involved, a good knowledge of Health and Safety is also important.

Increasingly, manufacturing processes are becoming automated and computerised so advanced IT skills are a common part of the role. When conducting repairs on machinery, being a good problem solver is a key skill in order to be able to diagnose and repair the faults. Manufacturing Engineers should also have good communication skills in order to work as part of a team.

Where will I be based for my Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are a combination of on-the-job training and off-the-job training with the schedule agreed between the employer, the apprentice and your local ETB. The Manufacturing Engineer apprenticeship is three years in duration and when completed the apprentice will have a Level 7 qualification.

This apprenticeship is delivered by Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and a number of other providers. Your local ETB may have information on employers looking for apprentices. Some of the key elements that you will concentrate on over the three years are-

Engineering Mathematics
Manufacturing Engineering
Maintenance & Safety
Computer Aided Design

Instrumentation and Control
Quality

What is the Pay/Job market like?

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn and the rate of pay is agreed between you and your employer. The employer pays the apprentices salary for both on and off the job phases. The college training element of the apprenticeship is government funded, however, an annual apprentice registration fee of €1,500 will apply. There will be no difference in rate-of-pay between the time an apprentice spends on-the-job and time in training.

Qualified Manufacturing Engineering salaries can range between €25k - €60k per year depending on experience and the career has been identified as a Job in Demand according to the latest National Skills Bulletin.

How do I secure an Apprenticeship contract?

The Manufacturing Engineer apprenticeship is open to school leavers, production operators and technicians who may want to retrain. There are over 450+ Medtech companies currently established in Ireland who require qualified manufacturing engineers on an ongoing basis. Educational requirements for this apprenticeship are-

Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) with grade O6 in 5 subjects including Maths and English/Irish & 250 CAO points.

For a mature student (over 23yrs) an industry interview is required.

You can register your interest at www.manufacturingapprenticeships.ie.

Explore our Live apprenticeship area to find out what other employers are actively looking for apprentices.