Communications technology has transformed our professional and social lives and is at the heart of Ireland’s innovation economy.  The telecommunications industry employs 20,000 professionals, who deliver mission critical services every day. From fibre broadband rollout, to 4G capability, to data centres and cloud based services, this industry is the fulcrum that provides instant connectivity to people, services, entertainment and information on demand.

The growing need for a robust, reliable and expanding communications infrastructure poses significant challenges to telecommunications companies in terms of required competencies and the availability of qualified personnel.  In recent years a significant skills gap has developed in the industry, which threatens the sector’s ability to expand broadband coverage across the nation. In order to address this urgent need for expertise, companies from the telecommunications sector in partnership with TU Dublin, have developed a 2 year Telecommunications and Data Networks Technician Apprenticeship .  The Apprenticeship Programme will support employers from the ICT sector by providing a structure for the training of Technicians over a period of two years.