Minimum entry requirements are:

• A grade H5 and above in two higher level subjects together with a minimum of O6/H7 in four other subjects. A minimum of grade O6/ H7 must be obtained in English. A grade O6/H7 must be obtained in Mathematics. Holders of a QQI level 5 or Level 6 (or equivalent) can apply for entry onto the programme

• Current employees with relevant experience and qualifications (e.g. NRF Programme in Recruitment Practice);

• Applications from candidates who are not current employees or do not have the academic requirements outlined above may apply using an application for recognition of prior experiential learning (RPL). Entry via RPL will be assessed using a written application from the candidate and/or by interview. Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning will be assessed in accordance with college policy. NCI process for RPL is described here. Formal recognition of knowledge or experience that has been gained from work, life or previous study will be assessed using the generic higher education and training award standards at level 5.

Before enrolment on the apprenticeship programme, all apprentices must:

• Be successful in an industry interview with a participating recruitment industry employer

• SOLAS apprentice approval.

On the job training is vital as part of this course and this will be calibrated across the industry. Work-based learning assessments will be conducted - this can carry up to 50% of the overall markings.

Year 1 

• Introduction to Recruitment Practice
• ICT Skills for Recruitment
• Career Management Skills
• Sales, Negotiating Skills & Influencing
• Continuing Professional Development
• Work Place Based Learning

Year 2 

• Talent Planning
• Fundamentals for Employment Law for Recruitment
• Candidate Strategy
• Finance (for non-finance practitioners)
• Continuing Professional Development
• Work Place Based Learning

Year 3

• Business Development & Customer Relations
• Management (including strategy & change)
• Equality & Ethics
• Contemporary Issues in Recruitment
• Continuing Professional Development
• Work Place Based Learning

Each semester will run for 10 weeks. The Apprentice will work 4 days a week at the agency and will attend a 'College Day' (normally a Thursday), either online or in NCI (due to COVID-19, online delivery will be a significant part of the timetable for semester one).

The course will be assessed with:

• Six work-based Modules 100% continuous assessment
• 12 integrated work-based modules with a minimum of 50% work-based assessment
• 2 applied exams

• Independently take responsibility for problem solving, bring solutions to the table 
• Encourage and coach members of the team
• Develop an ambitious and motivated culture
• Conduct targeted selling and achieve high levels of client engagement & retention
• Show expertise in candidate search, engagement and matching candidates to appropriate career opportunities
• Support and inform candidates throughout the recruitment process to ensure a successful outcome
• Achieve results from planned actions
• Develop and deliver end to end professional service solution
• Foster a flexible attitude.
• Act professionally exhibiting a positive approach and commitment to quality
• Successfully manage expectations of multiple internal and external stakeholders
• Critique and apply social psychology principles including social influences, self-perception and unconscious bias in decision making process

A Recruitment Executive apprentice will play a vital link between candidates and clients. They will be responsible for placing people into their ideal career or job opportunity. They will find the best talent solutions for clients to help grow their business. In their role it is vital that good relationships are formed with clients to enable business development and growth. It is also vital that they attract reliable, strong and enthusiastic candidates though innovative advertising and social media.

• Build personal network of candidate and client contacts

• Achieve core key target KPI’s

• Source and qualify candidates to meet job requirements (confirm availability, capability/fit and interest)

• Delivering recruitment & managed services to clients

• Developing new clients for recruitment services

• Candidate Search & Engagement- Job advertising, promotion, networking, headhunting

• Candidate Development & Presentation to Client

• Manages the Job Offer Process – Ensuring Job Offers complete with presented candidate & hiring company

• Support and influence the candidate and client throughout the recruitment process through to placement and settling in period

• Develop, maintain and manage client accounts

• Demonstrate strong business development activity within your desk including: identifying new leads, building client relationships, attend networking events and similar, research and marketing.

• Negotiate terms of business and secure agreement with clients

• Ownership for personal and professional development

• Continue to build communication and negotiation skills

• Knowledge of current organizational performance metrics and any associated improvement actions.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues from own and other divisions

• Provide coaching and mentoring support to associates and other consultants

• Develop an in-depth knowledge of industry sector and/or functional area
Enter all candidate and client data accurately and in a timely manner to ensure recruitment software (such as Jobscience) is up to date and of the highest quality

• Ensure a positive contribution to social media mediums in order to drive networking, candidate identification, develop client relations and raise personal and company brand awareness

• Identify and clarify bid and tender opportunities through various relevant channels; reviewing requests for tender (RFTs); attending client meetings to discuss client needs prior to RFT submission

• Develop proposals by accessing and assembling information including project nature, objectives/outcomes/deliverables, implementation, methods, timetable, staffing, budget, standards of performance, and evaluation; writing, revising, and editing drafts including executive summaries, conclusions, and organization credentials

• Develop a marketing and branding strategy to promote your social media profile via multiple channels

On successful completion of the proposed apprenticeship, a person in the occupation of Recruitment Executive should independently be capable of carrying out complex tasks, critically analysing industry data, Identifying skill gaps and implement solutions. The person should be capable of leading and managing complex projects.

Note: People in employment have a number of options for both educational and career progression. It might also be possible to gain promotion within your existing company.  By using your existing qualifications and your experience you might to able to secure an alternative position in a more senior role in another company. It may also be possible to set up your own company based again on your existing qualifications and experience.  Whatever route you decide to take remember education is a lifelong pursuit and you can always continue to up skill and/or retrain, whatever your age.  Links to some educational and enterprise supports can be found below.    

Career Progression Useful Links: Educational Supports 

1) BA (Hons) Business, NCI, this is a full-time programme with 3 streams to which a student may progress to continue full-time study if applicable. Entry at Stage 2.

2 BA (Hons) Business Management NCI, this is a generalist part-time to which a student may progress to continue part-time study if applicable. Entry at stage 2. Diploma in Business Management. This is a 60 ECTS part-time award at Level 7 which is embedded in the BA (Hons) in Business Management. 

3 BA (Hons) Human Resource Management, NCI, this programme is offered in both part-time and full-time formats. 

4 BA (Hons) HRM Strategy & Practice, this programme is offered in both part-time and full-time formats. 

The NRF is also planning to develop a suite of Special Purpose Awards in the area of recruitment at levels 7 and 8 which could also serve as progression routes.

Depending on your skills, knowledge and experience some of the  opportunities below might be appropriate to help develop your Career pathway.   

• Springboard & conversion courses  
• Post graduate education Search Post Graduate options

Enterprise and Self-Employment Support

On completion of anapprenticeship if you feel you have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience you may decide to set up your own business. The links below might be useful to support you:

• Local Enterprise Offices, For profit Local enterprise support
• Local Area partnerships For profit enterprise support
• Social entrepreneurs: Not-for-profit enterprise support
• Franchising: Developing your business under an established franchise

To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.

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.

This apprenticeship is managed by the National Recruitment Federation. If you are interested in a Recruitment Executive Apprenticeship you should make contact with the National Recruitment Federation via the contact details below.

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available on the National Recruitment Federation website

Before enrolment on the apprenticeship programme, all apprentices must:

• be successful in an industry interview with a participating recruitment industry employer;

• SOLAS apprentice approval.

Further information is also available from the industry lead for this apprenticeship:

Employment and Recruitment Federation
Janice O'Rourke
Education and Operations Manager
Unit 2 A
Santry Business Park,
Santry,
Dublin 9,
Ireland
DO9 E5N7

Tel: 01 8161754/0876108783
Email: [email protected] /[email protected]

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.

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.

The employer pays the apprentice for the duration of this apprenticeship programme. The rate of pay agreed for this apprenticeship is agreed between the employer and the apprentice.