Technical Engineering Apprenticeships

First ever employer-led engineering apprenticeship
for Northern Ireland


Developed by Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills),
the new apprenticeship is the first to be designed
by the region’s employers. The organisations have
joined forces to ensure that gas technicians
graduating from the scheme will be equipped
with the skills that businesses urgently need.

Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment and Learning, launched on the 8th October 2008 an innovative technical engineering apprenticeship for young people to help kick-start their careers and tackle serious skills shortages in Northern Ireland’s fast-growing gas industry.

He has commended the employers involved in the new Apprenticeship and urged others to come on board: “I would encourage employers, both large and small, to employ apprentices from the outset.  I am confident that employers here today are going to reap the benefits of this new Apprenticeship.  With further employer engagement and quality training, apprentices will be an investment to your own companies, who can be developed to become potential leaders and managers of the future within the gas industry.”

Uniquely, apprentices will study extra modules in plumbing, electricity and residential renewable energy, which will enable them and their companies to offer clients a ‘one-stop-shop’ for all central heating services.

Funded by the Department for Employment and Learning, the scheme saw the first wave of 28 apprentices start in September 2008. In addition to on-the-job training, the apprentices will spend two days a week in college.