ESB Generation & Trading Apprentice

Lee Stations was built between 1952 and 1957, Lee Generating Stations joined the schemes on the rivers Shannon, Erne, and Liffey to become ESB’s fourth major hydroelectric development. This involved creating two reservoirs in the Lee Valley, which: 

• cover an area of 14km² and 

• have a storage capacity of 45 million cubic metres. 

We have been generating electricity on the River Lee since 1957. Our station has a combined generating capacity of 27 MW. The stations engineering, Maintenance and Operations teams play a pivotal role in ensuring the safe operation of the station and that commercial / technical performance is optimised. Both units use Voith turbines with Brown Boveri generators, which operate under an average head of 30m. Carrigadrohid has one generating unit (Voith turbine/Siemens generator) with a capacity of 8 MW, operating under an average head of 13m. Lee stations are a high efficiency producer of renewable energy and are part of ESB’s goal to reach Net Zero by 2040. 

ESB is inviting those interested to apply for our Apprenticeship (Mechanical) programmes which will commence in September 2025. Our apprenticeship programme will provide you with:

• both on-the-job and classroom-based learning

• dynamic work experience working in one of the most technically advanced generating plants in Europe

• the skills required to undertake routine power plant maintenance as well as diagnose and problem-solve complex power plant faults

• attain a recognised Level 6 Trade Certificate with a world-class Utility Company

What an ESB Apprenticeship consists of:

The Apprenticeship is SOLAS standards-based, consisting of 208 weeks / 4-year duration. During the 4 years, there are 7 SOLAS Phases:

• Phases 1, 3, 5 and 7 are on-the-job training, gaining experience while working closely with qualified Crafts people on site.

• SOLAS Phases 2, 4 and 6 are off-the-job training modules. These phases take place in a SOLAS Training Centre and in and TU (former IT) Colleges. 

Educational Requirements: 

Candidates must be 17 years of age or older before the 1st June 2025 and have obtained the following minimum standards at the time of applying: 

• Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement – 5 Merit grades or higher in Maths, English or Irish, Science* and two other subjects. 

• Junior Certificate – 5 grades C or higher Maths, English or Irish, Science* and two other subjects. 

• Leaving Certificate Applied - 120 or more Credits. 

• Vocational Leaving Certificate – 5 grades D’s or higher in Maths, English or Irish, Science* and two other subjects. 

• Leaving Certificate – 5 grade O6 or higher (formerly 3 Leaving cert grade D or higher) in Maths, English or Irish, Science* and two other subjects (H7 is not accepted as equivalent to O3 for this Campaign, a candidate must have a minimum of 40% in required subject either in higher or ordinary level) 

• FETAC/QQI Level 3 Major Awards – Minimum 6 modules which include 

• Communications, 

• Mathematics or Broader Application of Number and Functional Mathematics, 

• Personal Effectiveness or Personal and Interpersonal Skills. 

• FETAC/QQI Level 4 Major Awards – Minimum 5 modules. 

• FETAC/QQI Level 5 Major Awards – Minimum 5 modules. 

Science* can be replaced by Technology, Art, Craft & Design, Technical Graphics, Metalwork, Material Technology (Wood) Design Communication Graphics, Construction, Engineering, Home Economics, Ag Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry