Looking to build a new career in the new year? Train the next generation of apprentices as an apprenticeship instructor
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The National Apprenticeship Office is coordinating a large-scale campaign to recruit more than 100 Craft Apprenticeship Instructors and training and support staff at Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across Ireland.
From electrical to pipefitting, motor to electrical instrumentation, there are plenty of attractive opportunities on offer for experienced tradespeople to step into a new and rewarding career.
Between December to June, ETBs across Ireland are recruiting experienced skills talent to train the next generation of apprentice talent. There are a range of flexible roles available to entice anyone from a retiree looking for a part-time role, those looking for fixed and full-time positions, or for those looking for a change of pace and progression working as a Craft Apprenticeship Instructor.
With positions available across the country in response to record demand to develop skills in plumbing, pipefitting, electrical, carpentry and joinery, and other key trades for apprentices, these posts present a great opportunity for qualified tradespeople to transform their careers and pass on valuable experience and skills to the next generation of apprentices.
- A competitive salary with the opportunity to share your experience and secure a fulfilling career training apprentices.
- Gain an excellent work-life balance, with structured regular work hours (35 hours per week) and a half day on Fridays.
- Opportunities to expand your career and become a teaching professional, with public sector pay rates and a public sector pension.
- Access to progression and continuous professional development opportunities to advance your career as a teaching professional.
- Flexible roles on offer, including part-time, fixed term and permanent jobs.
- Key opportunities for progression with a range of Craft Instructor roles available across construction available training future apprentices across Electrical, Engineering, Pipe Fitting, Motor industry and more.
- Join a network of skilled people who are ready and willing to get you up and running as an Instructor, providing hands-on support and mentoring available with an experienced colleague.
- Generous annual leave — 25 working days per year, increasing after five years’ service.
- Tax-Saver travel tickets and access to the Bike-to-Work Scheme.
Colin McGeown is a former Craft Apprenticeship Instructor in Pipefitting with Louth-Meath ETB who shares his passion, experience, and knowledge from working with apprentices:
“I always had a keen interest in the apprenticeship instructor role, it’s something I always aspired to get into. There are opportunities for progression within the organisation, it’s great to deal with apprentices in training and see how they progress and learn the curriculum.
“It is so rewarding to be able to talk about real-world examples that the apprentices might come across and to come up with solutions to the problems that they may be facing on the job.“
Stephen Murphy, an Electrical Craft Instructor at Louth-Meath ETB found a range of supports available to help make that transition from working on site to teaching in the classroom.
“When I started, I was sent on a Train-the-Trainer course, and they brought me in to see the classroom environment. You are getting the right training, so anyone who’s thinking about it or considering it, you’re not going to be left on your own. You’re going to get plenty of help. You’re never going to be stuck if you have a question — there’s always someone to answer it.”
Commenting on how rewarding it is to teach apprentices, he says:
“From being a foreman, you’re used to coaching people, upskilling them, and leading them in the right direction, it’s what led me towards this job. The part of being a foreman enjoyed was bringing on apprentices, improving them, and seeing the skills they develop.”
Ritchie McGuinness, Craft Instructor in Carpentry and Joinery at Louth-Meath ETB found a multitude of benefits including upskilling opportunities, progression within the organisation, and structured hours.
“We have regular hours, which is not something everybody on site has. Being an instructor and having a structured work-life balance really helped me”, he says.
“I had opportunities to upskill in loads of areas and if you wanted to move in a different direction, the scope is within the organisation to do that.
“For anyone who is considering it — it’s great to just take your foot off the gas, slow things down a little and try and appreciate the work a bit more, passing on your skills to young people. It’s a great opportunity.
If you are looking to progress in your career and to train the next generation of apprentices, you can explore and apply for a range of Craft Apprenticeship Instructor posts around the country at https://apprenticeship.ie/instructors/