The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age.

The minimum educational requirements are:

Grade D or "Achieved" in five subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Certificate Examination or an approved equivalent,

or

The successful completion of an approved Pre-Apprenticeship course,

or

Three years’ work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable.

You must obtain a job as an apprentice in your chosen occupation. Your employer must be approved to train apprentices and must register you as an apprentice within 2 weeks of recruitment.

In this apprenticeship applicants are required to pass a colour vision test approved by SOLAS. 

Note: These are the current approved minimum educational requirements for apprenticeship programmes, however, previous experience of the following subjects would be an advantage but not essential:

• Mathematics
• Technical Drawing/Graphics
• Technology
• Physics
• Engineering

Please note: To become an aircraft mechanic apprentice you must pass the Ishihara Colour Vision Test (24 Plate Edition). For further information, contact your local Education and Training board    .

Apprenticeship Training Programme

Phase 1: With Employer

• Induction Training
• Introduction to Health & Safety
• Introduction to Tools & Equipment
• Introduction to Basic Skills 

Phase 2 A: Delivered in Training Centre (32 weeks) 

Course Content:

• Induction
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Electrical Fundamentals
• Digital Techniques
• Materials and Hardware
• Maintenance Practices
• Basic Aerodynamics
• Human Factors
• Aviation Legislation
• Turbine Aeroplane Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems
• Piston Aeroplane Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems
• Gas Turbine Engine
• Piston Engine
• Propeller

Phase 3A: With Employer

• Work Based Training and Assessments with portfolio of evidence

Phase 2 B: Delivered in Training Centre (8 weeks) 

Course Content: (EASA Category B1/B2)

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Materials and Hardware
• Basic Aerodynamics
• Human Factors

Phase 3A: With Employer

• Work Based Training and Assessments with portfolio of evidence

Phase 4: Delivered in Educational Colleges (35 weeks) 

Course Content: (EASA Category B1/B2)

• Electrical Fundamentals
• Electronic Fundamentals
• Digital Techniques
• Maintenance Practices
• Aviation Legislation
• Turbine Aeroplane Aerodynamics, Structures & Systems
• Piston Aeroplane Aerodynamics, Structures & Systems
• Helicopter Aerodynamics, Structures & Systems
• Aircraft Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems
• Propulsion
• Gas Turbine Engine
• Piston Engine
• Propeller 

Phase 5: With Employer 

• Work Based Training and Assessments

The overall duration of this apprenticeship is a minimum of 4 years provided all phases are successfully completed. 

On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Aircraft Mechanics.

The training is provided by the following institutions:

• TU Dublin - City Campus

Further information is also available from your local Education and Training Board.

As an Aircraft Mechanic you will need to be physically active and to be able to work with your hands.

An awareness of health and safety and good housekeeping is essential as well as attention to detail and an eye for the aesthetic.

The Aircraft Mechanic must have the ability to:

• Plan and organise
• Communicate effectively
• Solve problems
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Show a positive attitude
• Recognise the need for good customer relations
• Demonstrate good work practices including time keeping, tidiness, responsibility, quality awareness and safety awareness

Skills

Aircraft Mechanics require many skills including: 

• Understanding and application of physics
• Understanding the scientific uses and properties of materials
• Interpreting technical drawings and diagrams
• Using mathematics to solve technical or scientific problems
• Knowledge of electricity and electronics
• Controlling or adjusting equipment
• Inspecting and testing of systems and fault diagnosis
• Performing routine maintenance and repairs
• Accurate report writing skills and record keeping
• Service, replace, fault diagnose, repair, function test, inspect, adjust test, rig trouble shoot, adjust and test aircraft structures, systems and engines and their components
• Composite repairs
• Non destructive inspection
• Sheet metal repairs

Safety

• Hazards avoidance
• correct use of tools and equipment
• correct use of personnel protective equipment
• manual handling
• evacuation procedures

Standard practices

• Read and interpret relevant technical documentation
• read and interpret drawing and the relevant use of computers

Note: A person wishing to become an apprentice Aircraft Mechanic must pass a colour–vision test approved by SOLAS.

• Learning and developing new practical craft related skill, knowledge and competence
• Working with and learning from experienced craftspersons
• Seeing a job through from start to finish
• Comply with Health and Safety requirements
• Working with technical drawings and diagrams
• Using mathematics to solve technical or scientific problems
• Understanding the scientific uses and properties of materials
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
• Keeping accurate records or reports
• Being responsible for controlling or adjusting equipment
• Working with Electricity or Electronics
• Taking responsibility for own learning, including the allocation of study time
• Installing and repairing aircraft components
• Being physically active
• Passing all your phase exams (theory, practicals skills demonstration)
• Earning as you learn

On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices are qualified to work within the recognised trade or profession. 

Opportunities arise from time-to-time for promotion to supervisor level. Many craftspersons use their apprenticeship qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, owners of businesses, teachers and instructors amongst others.

In order to secure an apprenticeship, you must first secure a contract with an employer. You must apply directly to an employer rather than the training provider. Once you have found an employer to take you on as an apprentice, your employer must then register you as an apprentice with SOLAS    

• The employer must be approved to train apprentices.
• The employer must register you as an apprentice within two weeks of recruitment.

To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies and a list of currently approved apprentice employers on the Apprenticeship Jobs & Employers Portal     You can search for vacancies by location, and employers in each apprenticeship.

Use this link to explore a list of Approved Employers by Region and by Apprenticeship     type.

Colour vision requirements

Aircraft Mechanic Apprenticeship applicants are required to pass a colour vision test approved by SOLAS    .

Further information is also available from your local Education and Training Board    

Finding an Employer

Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship and secure an apprenticeship work contract you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs Portal . You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship type.

Your local Education and Training Board may also hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.

You should also directly connect with local employers who might be interested in taking on an apprentice. It is a great idea to get a part time job with a local employer who might be more inclined to take you on as an apprentice following a successful work experience placement or a part time job contract.

Further information about this apprenticeship may be available from the following organisations on this website:

Organisations supporting this apprenticeship

Where we know of supporting organisations we list these below:

Online Job Sites

Here are some direct links to employment websites that frequently list apprenticeship vacancies.

Note: These websites may include vacancies that are not QQI accredited Apprenticeships.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn. 

Employment Salary (On-the-job)

The employer pays you a salary while you are being trained on-the-job. The rate of pay is agreed between you and your employer.

Training Allowance (Off-the-job)
A training allowance is paid by the local Education and Training Board (ETB) while you are attending the off-the-job training. In some cases, a contribution towards travel or accommodation costs may be paid.

Information on taxation of off-the-job payments can be found here    .

The sector the apprentice's employer is engaged in will determine the allowance payable. These allowances are calculated on the gross wages paid by industry in each sector.

The weekly gross wage norms for the electrical industry are listed below. 

View rates of pay for other industries at Connect Trade Union    

(Connect Trade Union is the largest trade union representing construction, electrical, and technical workers in Ireland.)

FEES

Apprentices complete two of their three phases of off-the-job training in a higher education institution. A student contribution must be paid for this part of the training.

The amount of the student contribution is a proportion of the annual student contribution paid by students who are attending a full-time course in higher education. The student contribution is paid directly to the higher education institution.

The student contribution for this apprenticeship is €558 for Phase 2B and €3,000 for Phase 4.