EDUCATION and Training in Ireland is changing. Current research is showing a shift award from traditional third level education towards more practical training options where students can earn while they learn offsetting any worries they may have relating to fees, cost of living and job prospects.
More than 1 in 5 parents feel (Insurance Institute Survey, May 2018) that an apprenticeship is the best way of ensuring a successful working career for their children.
It is also a time of great change at Kerry ETB Training Centre where apprenticeships, traineeships and courses are offered accredited by QQI, City & Guilds, Accounting Technicians Ireland, ITEC, CIBTAC, CIDESCO, ECDL, CompTIA and Cisco in areas such as Information & Communication Technology, Health & Beauty, Tourism & Hospitality, Digital Media, Renewable Energy, Health Care, Construction and Engineering.
Many day courses have been redesigned as traineeships where 30% of learning is on-the-job. The number of young people opting to pursue apprenticeships has grown by 25% since 2017. A craft apprenticeship will generally last for 4 years, during which time you will spend 3 different periods in off-the-job training. There are also a number of exciting new programmes in development.
New apprenticeships
Kerry ETB Training Centre is currently in development with a new Wind Turbine Apprenticeship and Marine Engineering Traineeship. These innovative new programmes serve a strong industry need for qualified personnel. As always, the focus is a blend of classroom learning and on-the-job instruction and training.
National Digital Skills Centre
The NDSC is a state of the art media production campus where learners can work in multi-disciplinary teams and collaborate on real-world projects to develop and hone their skillset.
It is home to Broadcast Production (TV and Film), Digital Media Production (Photography, Design and Video) and the multi-award winning Radio Broadcast Production traineeship.
The Dawn Workshops Industry Masterclasses continue to grow in popularity. A suite of foundational programmes are also run in Media, P h o t o g r a p h y a n d R a d i o Broadcasting. The NDSC is Ireland’s first Blackmagic Design™ Authorised Training Centre.
Hair and beauty
Following a number of successes at World Skills competitions, the Beauty Therapy Traineeship is going from strength to strength with a suite of new micro-certifications arriving in September 2018. An all new hairdressing facility has also been opened and a barbering course is also being readied for the Autumn.
Commis chef
Kerry ETB Training Centre led the development of the National Commis Chef Apprenticeship Programme to address an industry need for 5,000 trainee chefs each year to 2020. The programme was launched earlier this year with initial intakes already underway in Kerry and nationwide. A second intake is planned in Kerry for Autumn 2018. Applications are now open.
Stonecutting and stonemasonry
Tom Little and his team operate the only Stonecutting and Stonemasonry Apprenticeship currently running in Ireland. It is also unique in the fact that all phases of the apprenticeship run at Kerry ETB Training Centre.
Tom and his team were runners up in the recent Generation-A National Competition sponsored by CIF and ESB. Demand for qualified stonecutting and stonemasonry craftsperson remains high.
Application criteria
To be eligible for an apprenticeship, you must be at least 16 years of age and you are expected to have a minimum of grade D in 5 subjects in the Junior Certificate or equivalent exam. However, higher educational qualifications and other requirements may be required by employers.
If you don’t have these qualifications, you may still register as an apprentice with an employer if you:
• Complete an approved preparatory training course followed by an assessment interview.
• Are over 18 years of age and have at least 3 years of relevant work experience, in which case you will also be asked to do an assessment interview.
You will be asked to pass a colour-vision test for some apprenticeships.
Application criteria for traineeships and day courses can vary – but a Junior Certificate standard of education along with a proven interest in the course and industry area along with a knowledge of where possible employment could be secured is important. Traineeships and Day Courses are recruited by suitability interview and where relevant, suitability tests.
To speak with one of our Apprenticeship Services or Course Recruitment teams at Kerry ETB Training Centre, Monavalley, Tralee, County Kerry, V92 PW50.
Call 066-7149600 or email: training@kerryetbtrainingcentre.ie
You can apply for all day, evening and traineeships online:
www.kerryetbtrainingcentre.ie
