With this three-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified hairdresser, with a QQI Level 6 Qualification in Hairdressing.

The Hairdressing Apprenticeship is a practical route into a career in hairdressing where you will earn while you learn. Apprentices undergo training while working four days a week with their employer and attending college one day a week. Apprentices will be supported in the workplace by an approved Mentor and in the college by their teacher. Apprentices will graduate after three years as a fully qualified Hairdresser with a QQI Level 6 award on the National Framework of Qualifications.

The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship programme is designed to ensure that the apprentice receives training both on and off the job over a minimum of three years.

With a blend of on-the-job training (80%) in full time employment, and one day a week off-the-job training (20%) at Portlaoise Institute, we provide apprentice with all the necessary skills, techniques, theory, and confidence in assisting them to become a fully qualified Hairdresser.

This course leads to the CompTIA A+ certification, which has very wide recognition nationally and internationally. The programme teaches computer maintenance and software support skills as well as networking skills. In addition to the A+, some vital QQI components are also certified on this programme.

NCI’s Higher Certificate in Data Science uses a blend of computer science and data science to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out data modelling, data management and data analysis activities, and to interpret and communicate that data to a variety of audiences.

NCI’s Higher Certificate in Business is an ideal introduction to contemporary theories and approaches to modern business practices in key areas such as marketing, human resource management and entrepreneurship.

NCI’s Higher Certificate in Computing is an ideal starting point to your studies as it offers a clear path into the computing degrees at NCI and other institutions. This full-time course will provide you with all the skills you need to pursue a career in the Information and Communications Technology industry.

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care is a four-year, day and evening delivery programme, designed for people who are interested in pursuing opportunities in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector.

The aim of the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care is to provide learners with a firm foundation in Early Childhood Education and Care so as to practice as Professional Early Childhood Educators in a range of ECEC environments. 

NCI’s BSc (Honours) in Data Science is practical in nature, providing you with knowledge of the way data science can solve real problems and facilitate business decisions based on evidence. Due to the shortage of suitably qualified data science professionals in Ireland and internationally, this degree offers exceptional job prospects for graduates.

NCI’s BA (Honours) in Accounting and Finance features a blend of specialised accounting and finance subjects together with general business subjects, giving you an excellent foundation in leadership and management as well as a critical and methodical approach to problem-solving and decision-making in a financial context.

NCI’s BA (Honours) in Marketing Practice is a practical, hands-on degree that covers all the core marketing subjects such as brand management, consumer behaviour, digital marketing and entrepreneurship.

The final year concludes with an exciting capstone project, where you will work in teams developing real live business plans and platforms, where you will be expected to source products, develop marketing, communications and branding strategies in order to bring your ideas potential marketisation.

This degree offers a solid grounding in all the core areas of psychology including cognitive psychology, personality and individual differences, lifespan development, social psychology, research methods and biological psychology, as well as specialised topics such as workplace psychology and cyber-psychology.

The BA (Honours) in Business is a modern, comprehensive and broad-based business degree, designed with modern businesses in mind and the requirement to produce graduates with relevant employability skills that also embrace broader societal needs in relation to sustainability and business ethics.

NCI’s BA (Honours) in Human Resource Management draws on our 70 years as the leading educational institution for human resource management. This is an excellent business degree with a focus on the human resources function, which includes recruitment, training, employee development and industrial relations. 

NCI’s innovative BSc (Honours) in Computing will provide you with programming and advanced problem-solving skills, to create software applications that solve real-world problems. This exciting course will expose you to areas like games programming, software development, cybersecurity, blockchain, artificial intelligence/ machine learning/data analytics, internet of things and digital business transformation

With this two-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified commis chef, with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Culinary Arts.

A mechanical automation and maintenance fitter will be involved in plant and machinery installation; maintenance and repairs; replacement of broken or working parts; adjustment; servicing and checking components; and equipment component replacement. A fitter will also fabricate parts using machine tools.

On completion of this four-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified mechanical automation and maintenance fitter, with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft - Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting.

You may then choose to work as a mechanical automation and maintenance fitter in industries such as engineering, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, quarries, mines, food processing, local authorities, petrochemicals and the armed forces.

Many apprentices use their qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, owners of businesses and instructors amongst others.

A construction plant fitter services, diagnoses and resolve technical issues in mobile equipment used in materials handling for the off-road and on-road construction, excavation, mining, forestry and waste management industries. They carry out routine service procedures as recommended by the manufacturers; and diagnose and resolve problems with the operation of the mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems of machines and equipment such as tracked excavators, forklifts, and cranes.

MTU is the only Technological University or Institute of Technology in the country which offers craft level apprenticeship courses in construction plant fitting.

A plasterer is involved in the preparation and application of protective covering to interior and exterior building surfaces. This work can also involve applying decorative marking and finishes to walls such as pebbledash to achieve a required finish. A plasterer may be required to lay the finishing surface of cement floors for houses, factories and garages. Fibrous plasterers may work from architects’ designs or copy pieces of plasterwork from artists’ drawings or from photographs to produce ornamental work.

MTU is the only Technological University or Institute of Technology in the country which offers craft level apprenticeship courses in plastering.

A plumber installs, maintains and repairs systems of water supply, drainage and central heating in houses and other locations. These systems include hot and cold- water systems, sanitary services, heating systems and pipework and controls for gas supply. Plumbers carry out maintenance and repair work including routine servicing and emergency repairs, which involves finding faults and replacing or repairing damaged parts, carrying out tests and ensuring that the system works properly. Work on technologies such as gas fired and oil-fired heating systems, under-floor heating, solar, geothermal and biomass heating is also performed by qualified plumbers.

On completion of this four-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified electrician, with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Electrical.

As an electrician you will be involved in the installation, commissioning, testing and maintenance of various wiring systems and services in domestic, commercial and industrial applications. Your work will range from wiring domestic houses and retail units, to more complex systems involving process control and maintenance in industrial plants, hospitals and power stations. Electricians also service, maintain and repair electrical equipment, both domestic and industrial. If you are employed by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) you will be working on electrical power supply and distribution.

Electricians employed by electrical contractors are usually engaged in installation of lighting, heating and power equipment and the repair of existing equipment and appliances. If you work in industrial employment you will generally be engaged in the maintenance and repair of factory plant, machinery and generating equipment. Many apprentices use their apprenticeship qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, owners of businesses, teachers and instructors amongst others.

A refrigeration and air conditioning craftsperson installs, maintains and repairs all types of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment and systems. They can work in industries such as domestic, marine, commercial and industrial. They can install, maintain and repair items such as household, hospital, hotel and shop refrigerators, display cabinets, deep freezers, cooling plants, cold rooms and refrigerated transport.