Ireland has a long history of providing apprenticeships. Up until recently, most of these were focused on the Construction, Manufacturing and Motor industries. These are often referred to as the traditional Craft Apprenticeships. Since 2016 the range of industries covered by apprenticeships has grown significantly. You now have a choice of taking apprenticeships from industries such as Computer & ICT, MedTech, Insurance, Finance, Accountancy, Logistics and Hospitality sectors. And the good news is that more apprenticeships are being developed all the time. You will find over 90 career options on the apprenticeship database in CareersPortal.ie.

Below, we will explore 9 of the more untraditional apprenticeships!

What is an Apprenticeship?

An Apprenticeship is a programme of formal education and training. It combines learning in your place of work, with learning in an education or training centre. It’s an opportunity to earn a salary while working and studying. On successful completion of several phases of training, apprentices become recognised craftspeople or professionals.

To view all Apprenticeship options: click here

How do I apply to an Apprenticeship?

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 on the Career Explorer. You can search for vacancies by interests and sector.

Apprenticeship Options:

1. Accounting Technician

There is currently one apprenticeship option available in Accounting Technician with an Accounting Technologist apprenticeship currently in review for proposal. The apprenticeship is in conjunction with Accounting Technicians Ireland. You will work four days a week in an office environment, and study one day a week in college and will emerge from the programme with a valuable qualification, which is strengthened by two years of work practice modules in accounting and finance.

To learn more and read the information booklet, click here.

2. Insurance

Insurance practitioner is an apprenticeship developed by The Insurance Institute and representatives from across the industry, this three-year programme is validated under the QQI process and leads to a BA (Hons) in Insurance Practice from ATU- Sligo campus (IT Sligo) – a qualification future employers will crave. You’ll learn the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary for a successful career in insurance and beyond. 

To learn more about who can apply and when, click here.

3. Transport & Logistics

There are many options of apprenticeships within this sector, to check them all out click here. Two samples of careers are Supply Chain Specialist and Heavy Vehicle Mechanic.

Supply Chain Specialist: Designed around the concept of change as a major influencing factor in today’s supply chain activities, this 2‐year apprenticeship programme, provides learners and hosting organisations with the advanced understanding and best‐practice frameworks and techniques needed to manage effectively supply chain operations. The programme will educate participants in the principles and practical application of SCOR framework concepts, enabling participants and supporting organisations to gain a competitive advantage and develop the ability to drive improvement in supply chain operations with measurable results.

To read more and check out the information booklet, click here.

Heavy Vehicle Mechanic: With this four-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified heavy vehicle mechanic, with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Heavy Vehicle Mechanics. You may then choose to work as a Heavy Vehicle Mechanic with road haulage companies, with coach and bus transport services or in the commercial motor industry. Many apprentices use their apprenticeship qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, owners of businesses, teachers and instructors amongst others.

To read more and check out the information booklet, click here.

4. Sales

The Sales apprenticeship is a 2-year programme coordinated by Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim Education and Training Board and is delivered nationally in a few locations using a blended learning approach.

To read more and see if this is the apprenticeship for you, click here.  

5. Lab Analyst

This is a three year, earn while you learn apprenticeship programme with an approved employer. The Level 7 Laboratory Analyst Apprenticeships supports the continuous learning and hands-on work experience undertaken by the apprentice with three days on the job (working) and two days off the job (academia) learning structure.

To learn more about this apprenticeship, click here.

6. Social Work

Social Work apprentices will learn about social work theory and practice skills, human development, child and family welfare, safeguarding adults at risk, domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, law and social policy and research. UCC are the lead education partner and have a dedicated UCC Social work page.

To learn more about this apprenticeship, click here.

7. Software Solutions

This apprenticeship aims to address the high demand for expert software developers in Ireland’s industries. There are no formal end-of-semester written examinations, ensuring that learners gain practical experience from the first module to the last. Apprentices will work closely with a mentor from their work placement. The apprenticeship is aimed at applicants who hold a level 8 or level 7 degree in areas related to Computer Science and IT. Software Solutions Architect Level 9 is designed to bridge the gap between academic theoretical knowledge and practical software design skills applied in the industry.

To read more about this apprenticeship, click here.

8. Cyber Security

There are options for a Cyber Security Practitioner and Cyber Security Specialist.

Cyber Security Practitioner: Over a two-year period, this Tech Apprenticeship programme combines off-the-job skills training with on-the-job application and culminates in the Cyber security Practitioner Apprentice attaining an NFQ Level 8 Qualification. 

For more details on this apprenticeship, click here.

Cyber Security Associate: Over a two-year period, this Tech Apprenticeship programme combines off-the-job skills training with on-the-job application and culminates in the Tech Apprentice attaining a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate. 

To read more, click here.

9. SCSI Quantity Surveyor

The Advanced Quantity Surveyor apprenticeship programme creates an intellectual framework for problem solving, primarily within the quantity surveying skill set but transferable to wider socioeconomic contexts. Graduates will be able to respond to the performance and commercial needs of clients and source optimum economic and procurement solutions. Apprentices on this programme will acquire a highly practical level 9 qualification in quantity surveying.

To learn more about this apprenticeship, click here.