Pre-Apprenticeship Courses

What is a Pre-Apprenticeship Course?

A Pre-Apprenticeship course is a post leaving certificate course run in a Further Education centre. The course prepares students for an Apprenticeship.
These Pre-Apprenticeship courses (NFQ level 5) normally run for 1 year through a local Education and Training Board Provider (ETB) .

How might a Pre-Apprenticeship course help your career choice?

The course provides an opportunity to practice skills you may use in your Apprenticeship.
You will develop confidence through education and learning which may support your Apprenticeship application.
It will help you decide if the Apprenticeship type is for you by gaining practical work experience in your chosen apprenticeship.
You can add this experience to your CV and present it at an interview with your future apprentice employer.

Pre-Apprenticeship courses are profiled in our CareersPortal Coursefinder in Further Education and Training centres around Ireland and across many different career sectors. Explore your pre-apprenticeship journey now through CareersPortal Course Finder.

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What is an Access to Apprenticeship Course?

An Access to Apprenticeship course runs over 12 weeks in some of the Technological Universities and is very useful to explore if an apprenticeship pathway is right for you. The Access to Apprenticeship (ATA) supports the transition of young people (16-24 years old) from disadvantaged backgrounds into an apprenticeship scheme.

The course has practical learning and job preparation elements, along with a work experience placement. This Access apprenticeship programme may develop your skills and confidence when accessing an apprenticeship. You can complete this access to apprenticeship programme as a NFQ level 6 special purpose award.

How an Access to Apprenticeship course could help your career choice

Allows you to sample a range of different apprenticeships in the Construction, Engineering, Electrical, Motor, and Aviation industries.
Provides practical work experience and an insight into the world of work.
Prepares you for the real-life experience of being an Apprentice.
Supports CV building, interview preparation, and networking skills.
Enables you to obtain a Health & Safety and Safe Pass Certificate.

Access and Inclusion Bursary

An access and inclusion apprenticeship bursary provides financial support for under-represented groups to access apprenticeships.

The Access and Inclusion Bursary , managed by the National Apprenticeship Office (Generation Apprenticeship ), offers up to €3,000 in financial support to eligible learners for living costs, including travel, accommodation, and materials.

Applicant Entry Requirements (Access to Apprenticeship course)

Aged 16 – 24
Minimum of grade D in 5 subjects in the Junior Certificate or equivalent.
Satisfying the following Access criteria:
- Gross family income on or below €45,790 in 2021
- You or Your Parents/Guardians in receipt of:
  (a) a means tested social welfare payment in 2021 
  OR
  (b) A medical card/GP visit card holder in 2021

- You:
  (a) Attended a designated disadvantaged school (DEIS) OR
  (b) Live in an area of disadvantage (Verified using the Eircode for your address) OR
  (c) Are or have been in the care of the state OR
  (d) Your Parents/Guardians have not gone to college (higher education)

An Access to Apprenticeship (ATA) supports the transition of young people (16-24 years old) from disadvantaged backgrounds into an apprenticeship scheme.
It is a 12-week full-time programme and is currently delivered in two Technological Universities:

(TUD) Technical University Dublin