Industry-led apprenticeship launched to meet growing skills gap

The Minister for Education was at Combilift in Monaghan yesterday (Monday) to launch a new apprenticeship to fill the skills gap faced by Irish equipment manufacturing firms.
Joe McHugh was assisted by his Fine Gael party colleague Heather Humphreys, Minister for Business, Innovation and Enterprise at the event.
The Advanced Certificate in Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) is a three-year Level 6 apprenticeship, with a focus on the engineering and manufacturing sectors. It is supported by Enterprise Ireland and a consortium of leading mid-Tier engineering Irish companies. This new apprenticeship was developed by the engineering companies in conjunction with education and training boards in Cavan and Monaghan, Limerick and Clare. 
Speaking at the launch Martin McVicar, Managing Director, Combilift and chair of the industry-led consortium behind this initiative, said that this new apprenticeship, along with many other industry-led apprenticeships, will drive Ireland from an exclusively knowledge-based economy, to one that has a stronger emphasis on skills.  
“This new apprenticeship will help meet the evolving skill set requirements of engineering and manufacturing companies. This is crucial as many firms are reporting shortages of qualified skilled employees, which are capable of designing, assembling and trouble-shooting machinery for the future.
“These are skills combine mechanical, hydraulic, electronic, software and robotic technologies. This apprenticeship offers individuals the opportunity to develop these essential skills in an earn, learn and live it environment while completing training and hands-on experience with an employer and receiving an internationally recognised qualification.”
Combilift’s chief believes that this new apprenticeship will drive employment across the country. “This apprenticeship will become a key contributor to the strategic recruitment and planning process of many indigenous and international organisations based in Ireland. Employers have committed time and effort to its development. There are jobs and strong career opportunities throughout the country and internationally for those who complete this apprenticeship. It is time that we promote the apprenticeship route with the same enthusiasm, which we do for degrees,” said Mr McVicar. 
There were just over 201,000 people working in the manufacturing sector in Ireland in 2016, according to the Central Statistics Office, making it one of the largest sectors of employment in the State. There are 12,790 manufacturing enterprises throughout the country. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) companies, such a Combilift, the largest global manufacturer of multi-directional forklifts, range in size from SMEs to large indigenous and multinational companies. 
Irish manufacturing firms recorded the highest increase in industrial production across all EU countries in the year to August 2018, according to Eurostat figures. Manufacturing now accounts for almost a third of all economic output by GDP, double the share of a decade ago, and well above the global average.
Combilift’s MD believes that there is a need to review the perception of apprenticeships. “Young people completing their second level education are often encouraged to prioritise third level college degrees to the determinant of other options. Despite an increase in the number of applicants for apprenticeships there is a perception among parents and careers advisors across Ireland that it is a fall-back option.
“The idea that apprenticeships are only for those students that do not achieve high grades has to change. This apprenticeship offers a very credible career path for high achieving students who are looking for a rewarding career in engineering and manufacturing.”
Mr McVicar, a past winner of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year, continued: “When employers are hiring, they don’t advertise for someone with knowledge they specifically state that they are seeking someone with skills and this apprenticeship combines knowledge, skills and industry experience.
“The brightest and best of our students should be encouraged to consider this option. Career advice and decisions that are driven by school league tables are not serving our children or our country well. The pressure to get a third level degree with the hope of a good job at the end is not always beneficial to students or our economy.”
Speaking at the event, John Kearney, Chief Executive, Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB), outlined the training programme and the potential progression routes for students completing this apprenticeship. “Graduates of the OEM Apprenticeship will have the potential to continue along specific learning pathways up to and including Level 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications. This apprenticeship will provide skilled OEM apprentices and offer credible career paths and progression routes in Institutes of Technology in Athlone, Sligo, Dundalk, Carlow and also University of Limerick.”
The OEM Apprenticeship is now open for recruitment. The programme development and delivery of the apprenticeship is funded by SOLAS, the state agency responsible for education and training.