John Sisk & Son has built a unique reputation of training apprentices who go on to roles in THE business and across the industry at large.
Sisk provides a unique carpentry and joinery apprenticeship that offers apprentices the opportunity to ‘earn and learn’ while developing real life skills with many going on to become our next generation of site managers. Many of our apprentices take full advantage of this FETAC Level 6 qualification, that is recognised around the world, with many opting to travel upon completion of their time with us.
The John G Sisk Training Centre was set up over 40 years ago by the Sisk family who had a passion for the trade of Carpentry and Joinery and realised the importance of developing our own talented craftsmen and future foremen.
The centre enjoys a positive reputation throughout the industry and is well regarded amongst the local community, educators, design consultants, clients and others. The John G Sisk Training Centre is unique as it is the only family owned stand-alone carpentry and joinery training centre of its kind in Ireland, steeped in the company’s history and with a goal of Delivering Excellence, in line with the rest of Sisk.
The Sisk carpentry/joinery apprentices have played a significant role in community engagement in areas such as supporting and encouraging young people to take up a career choice in the construction industry, going out and visiting schools and colleges to tell their stories to the next generation.
Passion for the trade of Carpentry and Joinery
Regional Skills West with GMIT have recently established the Irish Wood and Furniture Manufacturing Network – IWFM Network, through a strong group of industry partners including the Sisk Joinery Centre, to promote the wood industry. Sisk, through the Training Centre is supporting the launch of Irelands’ first certified training course for Formwork and Steel Fixing. The launch of these courses will help the industry supply chain shortage which is becoming more evident as work picks up. Bringing people back into the industry is vital in the long term for its sustainability and its competitiveness.
Sisk sponsored Ireland Skills live in March this year. This three-day event was hosted for the first time under one roof, RDS Simmonscourt, bringing all the national skills competitions industries together including; construction, creative arts, aviation, engineering and software together with live competitions, ‘try a skill’ areas, heroes’ stages and a large careers and education zone. This event was a major success story with our apprentice Sean Carter coming in second place in the Joinery competition.
Sisk also supports the TechnoTeachers Association to encourage potential school students to enter our industry. Local school engagement with students – visit schools to promote the trade route as a career path and also encourage schools to visit our training centre to see first-hand a live workshop with apprentices at work. These workshops visits are essential for students to appreciate and value the craft of the woodworker. We remain true to the guiding principles of the founder, John Sisk, who in 1859 wrote “Building and contracting is in essence about people, their skills, their training and their motivation.”
In the UK our carpentry/joinery team provide assistance to site management teams with joinery issues and to resolve with the most suitable solution.
Our joinery also sources information for site management, for example, queries on details, product failure etc. This has led to our team forging strong relationships with suppliers on new products and industry trends.
Making connections
Sisk Joinery/Training Centre Manager, Dave Tracey is an active member of the CIF Manpower, Education and Training Committee reporting to the executive body of the CIF which represents the Industry on apprenticeship issues, numbers, changes in syllabus etc. This group also reports to SOLAS and other government bodies. We are also active members on the Regional Skills Board which is a collaborative approach with all stakeholders to get people off the live register and back working in full time.
If you are interested in more information on apprenticeships with Sisk email David Tracey on d.tracey@sisk.ie.
