People with tech skills are in demand not just in the IT sector – more and more jobs across industry require various levels of proficiency in IT. A trend which is anticipated to grow as increasingly companies utilise technologies to manage their activities, market their products, communicate with their customers and increase productivity.
Emerging Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are creating daily, new industrial sectors, way beyond the prospects of driverless cars, delivery by drones etc., resulting in the creation of new roles, skill sets and career paths across all sectors of the economy, which are expected to grow exponentially in the coming years.
As part response to these current and emerging tech career opportunities, FIT was recently appointed Coordinating Provider by the national Apprenticeship Council for the delivery of two technology apprenticeships at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Built on a proto-type that was ‘road-tested’ with over 150 leading technology companies sponsoring 249 successful participants, the ICT Associate Professional Apprenticeship programme commencing in early 2018 facilitates two tracks of technology training nationwide:
The first six months of the programme are intensive college-based learning where apprentices are
equipped with the necessary technical acumen. The remaining 18 months are a combination of on-the-
job experience supplemented with college-based instruction.
All training costs of the apprentices are covered by the State. FIT manages all aspects of the programme
and coordinates employer input.
Participating companies pay candidates throughout the apprenticeship and facilitate the on-the- job
learning, thereby enabling apprentices generate added value through honing their knowledge, skills and
competencies in real-time while contributing to product development, technological advancement and
talent development.
Apprentices employed under contract may generally receive remuneration to the value of €260 - €290 p.w.in the first
year and €340 - €385 p.w. in year two.
On successful completion of the programme qualified tech apprentices will typically progress into full-time positions within their sponsoring companies thereby enhancing the talent portfolio while increasing productivity and competitiveness in those enterprises.
