Other Locations:

Please note that we also offer apprenticeships in Finance and Property Services in our Morrison’s Island Campus, Construction and Hairdressing in our Douglas Street Campus and Construction and Hairdressing in our Mallow Campus.

Introduction:

Apprenticeships combine learning in an education and training institution with work based learning in a company. Apprenticeships are a growing and exciting area of Irish Education and is a key aspect of Cork College of FET. We are proud to be part of #GenerationApprenticeship in collaboration with National Apprenticeship Office and SOLAS.

There are over 75 different apprenticeships in Ireland across 16 occupational categories:

• Agriculture and Horticulture
• BioPharma
• Construction
• Electrical
• Engineering
• Finance
• Hairdressing
• Health and Social
• Hospitality & Food
• ICT
• Insurance
• Logistics
• Motor
• Property Services
• Recruitment
• Sales & Marketing

All craft apprenticeships follow the same structure. There are 25 different craft based apprenticeships. A craft apprenticeship last for four years and is delivered through a mix of “on the job” and “off the job” training phases. The “on the job” training phase is the name given to the time an apprentice spends with their employer, learning their craft. The “off the job” training phase is the name given to the time an apprentice spends studying in an education training institute. A craft apprenticeship is made up of seven phases – as shown below in Figure 1.

Figure 1.

Why choose an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is for you if:

• You like practical hands on learning.
• You want to earn a wage while you learn.
• You want a qualification that allows you to travel the world.
• You want to be taught by industry experts.
• You want a flexible, exciting career with great progression opportunities.

Tips on how to get an apprenticeship:

A question we are often asked is how to get an apprenticeship. Here are some handy tips:

• Not sure what apprenticeship you want to study? Come to one of our Open Days and take a tour of our facilities and meet the Instructors.
• The team of Authorised Officers in Cork College of FET, Bishopstown Campus are here to give advice on choosing an apprenticeship.
• Contact the Generation Apprenticeships Freephone Helpline 1800 079 4487 for guidance and advice on which apprenticeship is for you.
• Contact local employers in your area and get some work experience. Pick up the phone and make the call- the personal touch is key!
• Apprenticeship vacancies are advertised on www.apprenticeship.ie. However a lot of jobs can still be found by word of mouth pick up the phone, call employers in your area and ask if they are taking on apprentices.
• Keep an eye on our social media channels where we share vacancies from companies. You can also complete a Notification of Interest Form available from Bishopstown Campus.

The non-craft apprenticeships vary in how they are structured but all combine work based learning with learning in an educational institution. All apprentices are registered employees, they have an employment contract and are paid a salary for the duration of their apprenticeship training. Apprenticeship allows you to Earn as you Learn.

In Cork College of FET, Bishopstown Campus we offer apprenticeships in the following categories:

• Construction
• Electrical
• Engineering
• Hospitality & Food
• ICT
• Motor
• Sales & marketing

Construction:

Cork College of FET Bishopstown Campus runs Phase Two of:

• Level 6 Brick and Stonelaying
• Level 6 Carpentry & Joinery
• Level 6 Plumbing

Electrical:

Cork College of FET Bishopstown Campus runs Phase Two of:

• Level 6 Electrical
• Level 6 Electrical Instrumentation
• Level 6 Instrumentation
• Level 6 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

Engineering:

Cork College of FET Bishopstown Campus runs Phase Two of:

• Level 6 Metal Fabrication
• Level 6 Pipefitting

Hospitality & Food:

The Level 6 Commis Chef Apprenticeship and the Level 5 Craft Butchery Apprenticeship both run in Westside Hospitality Centre. Both apprenticeships take two years to complete.

ICT:

The Level 6 Cybersecurity Associate Apprenticeship and the Level 6 Software Developer Associate both run in Bishopstown Campus. Both apprenticeships take two years to complete.

Motor:

Cork College of FET Bishopstown Campus runs Phase Two of:

• Motor Mechanics
• Heavy Vehicle Mechanics

Sales & Marketing:

The Level 6 Sales Apprenticeship runs in Bishopstown Campus. This apprenticeship takes two years to complete.

Apprenticeship Services

The Apprenticeship Services team is based in Bishopstown Campus and manages the registration of all apprentices and apprenticeship employers in Cork city and county.

Every apprentice and apprenticeship employer is assigned a Senior Training Advisor who assumes specific responsibility for the provision of essential support services to registered Apprentices and Employers in Cork and acts as an Authorised Officer in accordance with these rules. The Senior Training Advisor ensures that each registered apprentice is supported by their employer in their on-the-job training. Before an apprentice is registered, they visit the employer to ensure they can provide the apprentice with the work-based learning activities needed for their apprenticeship.

Code of Practice

All apprenticeship employers and apprentices must adhere to the Apprenticeship Code of Practice (PDF), published by SOLAS . This outlines the duties and responsibilities of both employers and apprentices for the duration of the apprenticeship programme.

Apprentice Pay

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn. For all apprentices, the employer pays you a salary while you are being trained on-the-job. The rate of pay is agreed between you and your employer.

For craft apprentices, a training allowance is paid by the local Education and Training Board (ETB) while you are attending the off-the-job training. In some cases, a contribution towards travel or accommodation costs may be paid. Information about craft apprentice pay in Cork ETB while attending off the job training is available in the Apprentice Pay Handbook (PDF).

For non- craft apprentices, the employer pays you a salary while you are attending off the job training.

For more information, contact the Apprenticeship Services Team in our Bishopstown Campus.
Email apprenticeship@corketb.ie