Original Equipment Manufacturing, Installation and Servicing companies from all over Ireland attend the National OEM Apprenticeship Mentor training at Monaghan Institute
Middle Row: AnnaMarie Woods (Programme Manager), Thomas Corrigan MSc FIMI MRAeS, Andy Wylie (Combilift), Ciaran Brennan (Keenan Alltech), John Pomeroy (GEON), Vincent O Brien (Leidos), Joseph Mc Gonagle (Coordinating Tutor LCETB), Ita Mc Nulty (Tutor), Ciaran Davidson (Jungheinrich)
Front Row: Ronan Duffy (Tutor), John Paul Handley (Abbey Machinery), Alan Buggy (Tanco), Ciaran O Shea (Tanco), Liam Smyth (Combilift), Clyde Dunne (Dennison Trailers), Simon Duffy (Tutor)
OEM Apprenticeship Mentors travelled from all over Ireland to attend a Mentor training event at Monaghan Institute on Thursday. The OEM National Apprenticeship programme is now in its third year at Monaghan Institute. The apprenticeship was developed by a consortia of Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) employers and education providers, including Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board and Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, in direct response to ‘The Future Skills Requirements of the Manufacturing Sector Report to 2020’ addressing the emerging demands for skills in the sector in Ireland.
While addressing the group, Programme Manager AnnaMarie Woods, explained “We find that this Apprenticeship is most appealing to people who would like to learn a diverse range of Engineering skills but don’t feel as though third level education is for them” she added, “This Apprenticeship is an opportunity to earn while you learn and continue to be part of your community, which may be the ideal option for many learners”.
During the day’s training, Ms Woods emphasised to all those present of the importance of the Mentor role in an apprenticeship programme, saying “When the apprentice obtains employment with a company, the company assigns that apprentice to a Mentor, who then plays a critical role in the integration, organisation and oversight of the work-based learning. Furthermore, the Mentor, will perform key functions in monitoring progress, giving feedback and in guiding, informing, and caring for the learner”.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, recently announced the introduction of an annual grant of €2000 for employers who take on apprentices in one of the 37 post-2016 apprenticeships including OEM. It is hoped that this new scheme may help encourage companies to take on more apprentices.
From the employer’s perspective, OEM Apprenticeship Mentor with Turmec, Richard Murphy said “From a longer term view we now see apprentices within 5 years leading projects way ahead of those who have just come out of university” adding, “it is a great opportunity for companies like Turmec to build the talent pool they want instead of waiting for the talent to simply walk through their doors.”
Following the training event the group enjoyed a tour of Combilift’s Global Headquarters at Annahagh, Co Monaghan.
The OEM Apprenticeship is a three-year Level 6 programme consisting of both on-the job and off-the-job blocks and is suitable for those currently employed in OEM companies, school leavers, career switchers and mature applicants wishing to pursue a career as a qualified Original Equipment Manufacturing Technician. On-the-job learning takes place within the company and the learner also attends off-the-job education and training on a block release basis at either the Monaghan Institute Campus or Raheen Training Centre in Limerick.
Click the link below for more information on the OEM Apprenticeship programme.