Civil Engineering Apprentices

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

With a minimum of 3,000 new civil engineers needed to ensure the successful delivery of Project Ireland 2040, the National Development Plan 2026–2035 and Climate Action Plan 2025, an alternative delivery model for civil engineering needed to be developed to entice stronger uptake of the profession.

As a profession listed on the critical skills occupation list, additional approaches for recruitment in this field are needed to address challenges in the public sector. To aid in this objective, the technological university sector has engaged with the local authority sector to develop a programme where new entrants to engineering disciplines can gain suitable academic qualifications while also engaging in workplace-based learning.

Cork County Council in partnership with Munster Technological University (MTU), is offering an opportunity for a civil engineering apprenticeship. This structured apprenticeship program leads to a Level 6 qualification after two years, with the opportunity to progress to Level 7 with one additional year of study. There is also a potential pathway to Level 8, offering a full progression route in civil engineering.

This is an exciting new initiative, creating an alternative career path to the civil engineering profession in Ireland based on an earn and learn model. The civil engineering apprenticeship programme is planned to be transformational, and, over time, bridge the shortfall in supply of engineers in Ireland, providing those skills critical to the delivery of Project Ireland 2040. Designed to develop the skills, knowledge and competencies to meet the future needs of the industry, this programme will appeal to those seeking to build a career in civil engineering.

SECTION 2: THE ROLE

This apprenticeship would suit candidates with a strong interest in civil engineering, construction and infrastructure. The role provides an opportunity to combine structured academic study with practical, on-the-job learning in a local authority environment.

Civil engineering apprentices will be assigned to the Capital Delivery Directorate, Housing Directorate, Planning & Environment Directorate or Roads, Transportation & Area Services Directorate.

SECTION 3: TASKS / RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder may be required to perform other tasks/responsibilities as deemed appropriate by the relevant mentor or Director of Service.

• Exercise technical judgement at an appropriate level and maintain accurate records.
• Apply suitable mathematical techniques to solve well-defined problems in civil engineering and present the solution in an appropriate form.
• Use test and measurement instrumentation applicable to civil engineering (materials test equipment, Total Station, GPS etc.).
• Use industry standard software tools to gather data, solve well-defined civil engineering problems and display the result (AutoCAD/BIM/Revit etc.).
• Communicate well-defined technical matters effectively to other technical personnel and liaise with other third parties.
• Give direction to others and manage material and machine resources.
• Understand the need for high ethical standards in the practice of engineering, including the responsibilities of the engineering profession towards people and the environment.
• Accept and exercise personal and professional responsibility.
• Exercise and apply time management.
• Create and apply safe working practices (in line with current Safety and Health Legislation).

Candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the position of Apprentice in Civil Engineering unless they:

• Agree to undertake the tasks and responsibilities attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the tasks and responsibilities are, or may be required to be, performed;
• Are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the tasks and responsibilities attached to the position.

Apprenticeship Structure

The civil engineering apprenticeship is a standards-based programme approved by the National Apprenticeship Office and delivered in partnership with MTU, an approved third-level institution.

Apprentices will be trained and assessed both on and off the job.

On the Job training will be carried out with the support of their Cork County Council mentor and will include:

• Apprentice Workplace Logbook.
• Case Studies.
• Technical Projects.
• Performance Reviews.

Off the Job training will include:

• 1 week residential (week one) – Project based learning at the start of the academic year at MTU (Monday 7th to Friday 11th September 2026).
• Lectures delivered online on 1 full day per week.
• Apprentices will attend the MTU campus on 1 additional day every three weeks for practicals including labs and workshops.

The apprentice will, at the end of their programme, have gained the educational base for professional registration with Engineers Ireland at either technician or associate engineer level.

Award

On successful completion of your two-year apprenticeship a Level 6 Higher Certificate is awarded or on successful completion of your three-year apprenticeship a Level 7 Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering is awarded. These are internationally recognised qualifications.

Duration of Apprenticeship

Two years for a Level 6 Higher Certificate or three years for a Level 7 Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering.

Fee

All tuition fees are paid by the National Training Fund. However, there is a student contribution for this programme of €1,200 per year. This will be paid by Cork County Council for successful candidates.

SECTION 4: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA / QUALIFICATIONS

1. Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

2. Health

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. Education, Training, Experience etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application, meet one of the following three criteria:

• Hold a QQI Level 5 (Leaving Certificate or equivalent) qualification

A minimum of 5 grades O6/H7 or higher in Leaving Certificate subjects.

The applicant must also satisfy the maths requirement as outlined below:

• H7 in Higher Level Mathematics, or
• O6 in Ordinary Level Mathematics, or
• F2 in Foundation Mathematics.

OR

• FETAC Awards and Entry

The minimum entry requirements for graduates of FETAC to this programme is a full cognate FETAC (Level 5) award or higher to include distinction grades in at least three components. A full FETAC Level 5 major award will have a minimum credit value of 120.

Component awards, or achievement of less than 120 credits, do not constitute a full award. Applicants will be expected to include a specific maths module within their FE award or to have achieved the minimum Maths requirement in the Leaving Certificate.

Applicants with QQI awards at Level 6 or higher may be considered for advanced entry, i.e. into Year 2 in a cognate area.

OR

• Mature Students

Mature applicants (defined as those who are over 23 on January 1st of the year of entry), do not require the above minimum entry requirements and acceptance will be based on experiential learning, commitment to course objectives and an interview. Mature students will be assessed in interview using the form and guide available from the programme team.

NOTE: Applicants who already have a Level 7 or higher degree in Civil Engineering are not eligible to apply.

Exemptions

MTU may consider exemptions for previously unassessed modules or qualifications under their marks and standards policy. All learners will be provided with appropriate information in relation to the procedure for RPCL (Recognised Prior Certified Learning) on their acceptance for a place as appropriate. All exemptions must be agreed prior to commencement on the apprenticeship.

Documentary Evidence

Each candidate must include on the application form details of all qualifications obtained by them. Failure to provide all necessary details when requested will deem you ineligible for this competition.

4. Required Skillset

In the context of the key tasks and responsibilities for the post of Civil Engineering Apprentice listed above, the ideal candidate should demonstrate through their application form and at the interview the following:

5. Age

Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant within the meaning of the Public Services Superannuation Act, 2004.

A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 70 years of age.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed applications, be 18 years of age or older.

6. Transport

Holders of the office shall hold a full driving licence for Class B Vehicles and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority.

The successful candidate must obtain a full driving licence for Class B Vehicles by their 18th birthday or within 6 months of commencement of the apprenticeship, whichever is the longer.

The Apprentice will be required to attend scheduled in-person training days at MTU.

The Apprentice will be expected to make their own travel arrangements to and from college on these days.

SECTION 5: COMPETENCIES

A Competency Based Application form requires you to describe some of your personal achievements to date that demonstrate certain competencies (necessary skills and qualities) required for the position for which you are applying.

For each competency, you are given a description of a skill or quality. You are then asked to describe a situation, from your own experience, which you think is the best example of what you have done which demonstrates this skill or quality.

Candidates are requested to give an example of a situation which highlights the behaviour, skills and attitude that underpin effective performance in these areas and which demonstrates their suitability to meet the challenges of this role.

Candidates should ensure the example used clearly demonstrates their ability in this area and that the scale and scope of the example given is appropriate to the post and level of the post.

It is essential that you describe how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question.

Therefore, compose your replies carefully in this section and try to structure what you write so that you give specific information about what you have done. For example, do not simply say that "X was successful"; describe exactly what you did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question.

For each example please include the following:

a) The nature of the task, problem or objective;

b) What you actually did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality (and, where appropriate, the date you demonstrated it);

c) The outcome or result of the situation and your estimate of the proportion of credit you can claim for the outcome.

The information you present in your application may form part of a shortlisting process and may also be used to help structure your interview, should you be invited to one.

A shortlisting process may be applied based on two or more of the competencies and on other information you provide in your application form.

Please note that, should you be called to interview, the board may look for additional examples of where you demonstrated the Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Competencies required, so you should think of a number of examples of where you demonstrated each of the skills.

SECTION 6: LOCATION OF POST

Cork County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department, premises or district in use by the Council, now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or compensation.

SECTION 7: SALARY

• Level 6 Civil Engineering Apprentices (Years 1 and 2): €545.31 per week
• Level 7 Civil Engineering Apprentices (Year 3): €595.37 per week

Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

SECTION 8: WORKING HOURS

During the academic year from September to the following May each year:

• 28 hours per week (4 × 7-hour days) in the workplace; and
• One fixed day (8 hours) of online lectures with MTU per week.

Additionally, apprentices will attend on-campus labs/workshops in MTU one full day (8 hours) every three weeks.

During the period between June and August each year, when there are no online lectures or on-campus labs/workshops, the working week is a 35-hour week, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

All hours worked will be subject to the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001.

SECTION 9: ANNUAL LEAVE

The annual leave entitlement will be 22 working days per annum. Cork County Council's leave year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

The granting of annual leave at any particular time is always subject to the requirements of the Council and all annual leave is liable to suspension during periods of exceptional work pressure.

Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 (as amended).