Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship to launch in Dundalk in 2025
Ibec, the group representing Irish business, has today announced the expansion of the hugely successful manufacturing technician and manufacturing engineer apprenticeships to Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) in 2025.
Initially launched in 2017, the Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeships were developed by Irish Medtech, the Ibec trade association for the sector, in collaboration with higher education institutions, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Munster Technological University (MTU), and representatives from across the medtech and manufacturing industries in Ireland.
These consortium-led apprenticeship programmes were developed with the backing of the National Apprenticeship Office and the Higher Education Authority to support organisations within Ireland’s thriving manufacturing sector to grow their own world class engineering talent and enable Ireland to maintain its competitive edge on the global stage. The apprenticeships aim to meet the needs of a broad range of manufacturing sectors, from medtech, biopharma and polymer technology, to engineering, machinery, construction and food.
With over 600 apprentices registered since 2017, the apprenticeships are highly sought after by school leavers, career changers and those already employed in a manufacturing facility. Since 2017, interest in the programme has grown substantially, with over 100 companies now engaged and a 40% increase in the number of manufacturing engineering apprentices registering annually.
From 2025, employers can register apprentices on to the Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship (2 years, Level 6 on the NFQ) or the Manufacturing Engineer Apprenticeship (3 years, Level 7 on the NFQ) in DkIT, ATU Galway, ATU Sligo, TUS Midwest and MTU Cork. The newly developed Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship (4 years, Level 8 on the NFQ) will also continue to be available as a progression route for apprentices in ATU Galway and MTU Cork, further addressing the evolving skills needs of employers across several high-tech manufacturing sectors.
Trish Breen, Programme Manager of the Medtech and Engineering Apprenticeships at Ibec commented:
“We are delighted to confirm that our manufacturing engineering apprenticeships will be available in Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) in Summer 2025, providing an exciting opportunity for employers on the east coast of Ireland to access this successful national programme which has been developed by industry, for industry. Employers may decide to recruit apprentice candidates externally, but it is also a fantastic opportunity to upskill existing employees and grow your own engineering talent pipeline internally”.
Eoghan Ó Faoláin, Director of Irish Medtech at Ibec added:
“With over 100,000 people directly employed in the life sciences sector in Ireland, and significant employment growth forecast between now and 2028 (3-5% per annum), the availability of talented people to support this growth is a strategic priority for Ireland’s high-tech manufacturing sectors, including medtech. Today’s milestone announcement will provide fulfilling career opportunities for the participating individuals, whilst delivering a new pipeline of highly skilled workers to the ever-growing cluster of medtech & pharma companies on Ireland’s east coast”.
At the official signing of the manufacturing engineering apprenticeship consortium agreement in Dundalk earlier this week, Dr Breda Brennan, Head of the School of Engineering at DkIT said:
“We are delighted to sign the Consortium Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding with the members of the Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship Consortium led by Ibec and ATU (Galway). This will see DkIT School of Engineering as a member of the consortium and a provider of this apprenticeship from 2025. The agreement will help to widen and increase access to educational opportunities for students from our region and beyond. It provides an opportunity for those who wish to pursue an ‘earn and learn’ programme to have access to higher education awards as the apprenticeship is available at levels 6, 7 and 8 on the national framework of qualifications. The provision will also support a steady supply of highly skilled graduates to meet industry needs and support the development of a future-ready workforce. Congratulations to Dr. Paul MacArtain and his team from the Department of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering on this initiative.”
Professor Graham Heaslip, Head of School of Engineering at ATU Galway, also noted the significance of the expansion of the apprenticeship to Dundalk:
“DkIT joining the Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship Consortium is a significant milestone as it enhances the educational offerings of the apprenticeship consortium nationally, supports regional economic development, strengthens industry partnerships, and contributes to the advancement of manufacturing engineering across the island of Ireland. By joining the consortium, DkIT will be offering a tailored and specialised manufacturing engineering apprenticeship programme and increasing the options available for students pursuing a career in engineering.”
ENDS
