OEM Engineering Apprenticeship Workplace Mentor Training.
Workplace Mentors once again travelled from all over the country to Monaghan Institute for the OEM Engineering Apprenticeship Workplace Mentor training day last Thursday. This was a joint training day between coordinating provider Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) and collaborating provider Limerick Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB).
As part of the training, OEM Engineering Apprenticeship Tutors went through each module and explained the requirements for the workplace assessment which will be undertaken by the apprentice upon return to their respective employer. During the day, there was also a strong emphasis on building good mentoring relationships, managing expectations, setting goals and milestones, along with effective communication and the importance of constructive feedback.
Mentors form an essential component to the OEM Engineering Apprenticeship programme by providing much needed additional support to the apprentice, who are often young people entering the workplace for the first time. The OEM workplace mentors are made up of a wide range of personnel, including company Directors, Operation Managers, Training Executives and Line Managers. Among the group there was a mix of well-seasoned mentors who are now in their fifth year on the programme, along with those who are embarking on a mentoring role for the first time.
AnnaMarie Woods, Programme Manager stressed the importance of attending the in-person training days saying
“Whether this is you first time or fifth time attending, there is always great learning to be had, assessments on the programme develop and evolve along with industry needs and trends so it is very important to be aware of any changes or updates to assessment requirements.
Apart from the mentoring aspect of the day, this is also a great opportunity to network and get to know your fellow mentors, we have seen many business relationships forged here over the past few years. Furthermore, with such a diverse range of companies on the programme there is also great learning to be had from each other.”
Also speaking at the training, Joe McGonagle, Coordinating Tutor for LCETB added,
“I want to stress the importance of your role to the apprentice, mentoring helps them with knowledge retention by bridging the gap between the theory and the practical application leaving the apprentice feeling more engaged and connected to their work while promoting a sense of community and providing valuable insights into industry practices.”
Closing the day, Stephen Carron, Coordinating Tutor for CMETB thanked all the workplace mentors for attending and explained “The OEM Engineering Apprenticeship aims to train and provide multiskilled technicians that have exposure to electrical, mechanical, mechatronic and various other types of systems. The mentor training is an integral part of the apprenticeship programme as it ensures continuity between the off and on-the-job phases. The workplace mentors are chosen specialists in their field which is invaluable to the apprentices as they complete their work task assessments.”
During the day, the mentors were also given a tour of the Monaghan Institute campus including the state-of-the-art OEM Engineering workshops and classrooms.
The OEM Engineering Apprenticeship is a three-year QQI Level 6 programme consisting of both on-the job and off-the-job blocks and is suitable for those currently employed in engineering companies, school leavers, career switchers and mature applicants wishing to pursue a career as a qualified OEM Engineering 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 CMETB Monaghan Institute Campus or LCETB Raheen Training Centre in Limerick.
The OEM Engineering Apprenticeship serves to fill the skills gap faced by Irish engineering companies and offers participants a rewarding and exciting career path from the moment the apprenticeship begins. For employers, this is an excellent opportunity to recruit talented new apprentices who are passionate about their chosen career path in mechanical, robotic and electronic engineering.
Click the link below for more information on the OEM Engineering Apprenticeship.