ATU on track to accept apprentices onto innovative new Civil Engineering programmes in September 2023 - Jobs Fair on June 22nd

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) along with the Civil Engineering Apprenticeship Consortium of key industry stakeholders and employers reached a significant milestone in recent weeks with the academic validation of the Level 6 and Level 7 apprenticeship programmes. This development will see the first cohort of apprentices being accepted into the programme in September 2023.

With a minimum of 3,000 new civil engineers needed to ensure the successful delivery of Project Ireland 2040, the National Development Plan, Housing for All, and the Climate Action Plan 2019, it is vital that various routes to qualification as a civil engineer are provided in the state. ATU, in collaboration with the Civil Engineering Consortium Steering Group and with the support of the National Apprenticeship Office are developing a suite of academic qualifications in Civil Engineering, which will be delivered by apprenticeship to address the shortfall in the industry. It is believed this new mode of delivery will attract new entrants into the profession and satisfy a growing demand for learning through apprenticeship. A recent survey by hiring platform Indeed covering January to April 2023, found that jobs in Engineering and Construction related roles were amongst the hardest to fill owing to a shortage of suitably qualified candidates.

ATU acting as the co-ordinating provider, have been working for over 18 months alongside educational providers and Technological Universities across Ireland and industry partners to develop a full suite of programmes from Level 6, Higher Certificate, to Level 9, Masters. This collaborative approach will ensure the new programmes will leverage off best practice and have national reach. These programmes will be rolled out in two phases. Phase one will include the Higher Certificate (Level 6) and the BEng degree (Level 7) in Civil Engineering and will have its first intake in September 2023, subject to ‘in progress’ legislative changes. Phase two will include the BEng (Hons) Level 8 as well as an MEng (Level 9) in Civil Engineering.

The Civil Engineering Apprenticeship Consortium was formed by ATU Sligo and is made up of key national organisations and stakeholders such as the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), Irish Water, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), The Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). In addition to these key stakeholders, Engineers Ireland provide input to the consortium in an advisory capacity.

Úna Parsons, Head of College, ATU Sligo added; “Professional apprenticeships are a growing alternative to the traditional route to a third-level education qualification and are necessary to attract the scale and diversity of candidates needed into industries such as civil engineering and construction. We are thrilled the government recognises the value of these schemes and its support will help employers and job entrants alike. ATU have many years of experience in traditional and professional apprenticeship programmes. In addition, they have been successfully delivering online learning and training in Ireland for over 20 years, which makes us an ideal partner and coordinating provider. This partnership will build on

ATU’s strong track-record of collaboration already in place with the civil engineering and construction sector”.

ATU will be holding a ‘Jobs Fair’ ahead of the first intake of apprentices on Thursday June 22nd from 1200-1500hrs on their Sligo campus. This will provide an opportunity for prospective apprentices to learn more about the programme and ask questions in person and to meet companies from across Ireland who will be taking on apprentices in the first intake in September 2023. Further details can be found on the following link - https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/civil-engineering-apprenticeship-jobs-fair-information-event-tickets-645232556947

For further information about civil engineering apprenticeship, please contact the consortium secretary, Dr. Emma Britton at emma.britton@atu.ie.