APPRENTICE PROGRAMME

We are a leading recruiter of apprentices in Ireland and the UK. Our Apprenticeship programme aims to develop the best and brightest world-class craft professionals. We ensure that our apprentices receive excellent technical training, graduated practical work challenges, superb coaching and mentoring, and quality personal development and support.

Kirby seek bright, action oriented, analytical candidates who are interested in how and why things work and who are practical minded and enjoy working with their hands to become the next generation of Kirby Group apprentices. Kirby Group will supply all the training and support you need to develop into a world class, Electrical, Mechanical or Instrumentation professional and open a world of employment opportunities to you.

Download Our Apprenticeship Brochure

TYPES OF APPRENTICESHIPS

ELECTRICAL

WHAT IS AN ELECTRICIAN?

The Electrician is involved in the installation, commissioning, testing and maintenance of various wiring systems and services in domestic, commercial and industrial applications. Work ranges from wiring of 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.

Electricians employed by Kirby Group Engineer are usually engaged in installations in Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences, Date Center or Heavy Industrial projects.

Electricians require many skills including:

Knowledge of scientific principles
Performing general electrical installations
Interpreting technical drawings and specifications
Planning and organising the installation of electrical systems
Inspecting and testing of electrical systems and fault diagnosis
Performing routine maintenance and repairs on electrical systems
Knowledge and application of Health and Safety Procedures

Personal Qualities and Skills

As an Electrician 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.

Aspects of work

Learning and developing new practical craft-related skills, knowledge and competence
Working with and learning from experienced Craftspersons
Seeing a job through from start to finish
Comply with Health and Safety requirements
Understanding and using physics
Working with electricity or electronics
Being accurate with numbers in counting, measuring and arithmetic
Completing detailed tasks that requires accuracy and careful handling
Working with technical drawings and diagrams
Working with a variety of specialised hand tools, power tools and equipment
Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
Lifting or carrying heavy items
Taking responsibility for their own learning, including the allocation of study time
Being physically active
Bending and Kneeling
Passing all your phase exams (theory, practicals skills demonstration)
Earning as you learn

The Electrician 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

ELECTRICIAN APPRENTICE TRAINING PROGRAMME

Phase 1: On The Job

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

Phase 2: Delivered in Training Centre (22 weeks)
Course Content:

Electrical Science
Installation Techniques 1
Installation Techniques 2
Panel Wiring and Motor Control
Fundamentals of Alternative Electrical Energy Sources
Team leadership
Communications

Phase 3: On The Job
Training and Assessments

Phase 4: Delivered in Educational College (11 weeks)
Course Content:

Phase 5: On The Job
Training and Assessments

Phase 6: Delivered in Educational College (11 weeks)
Course Content:

Phase 7: On The Job
Training and Assessments

MECHANICAL

WHAT IS A PLUMBER/ PIPEFITTER?

Plumbers install, maintain and repair systems of water supply, drainage and central heating in Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences, Industrial and other large installations. These systems include hot and cold-water systems, sanitary services, heating systems, and pipework and controls for gas supply. The work includes central heating systems and their controls, pipe-work, sanitary systems, drainage systems, guttering and rainwater systems.

Plumbers and Pipefitters work on such technologies as gas fired and oil-fired heating systems, under-ﬂoor heating, solar, geothermal and biomass heating.

Plumbers require many skills including:

Working with technical specifications and drawings
Ability to use a variety of hand and power tools including wrenches, spanners, saws, cutters, welding equipment and pipe threading machines.
Cutting, bending, joining and fixing materials such as lead, copper, aluminium, plastic and iron.
Installation of central heating systems and their controls and pipework, sanitary systems, Drainage systems, guttering and rainwater systems.
Testing systems to ensure they are working efficiently and safely.
Maintenance and repair work including routine servicing and emergency repairs.

Personal Qualities and Skills

As a Plumber/Pipefitter 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.

Aspects of work

Learning and developing new practical craft-related skills, knowledge and competence
Working with and learning from experienced Craftsperson’s
Seeing a job through from start to finish
Comply with Health and Safety requirements
Working with technical drawings and diagrams
Using tools or machinery to shape metal
Being accurate with numbers in counting, measuring and arithmetic
Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
Working at heights
Lifting or carrying heavy items
Taking responsibility for own learning, including the allocation of study time
Flexible working arrangements as emergency work may be involved
Being physically active
Passing all your phase exams (theory, practical’s skills demonstration)
Bending, kneeling and working in cramped and awkward spaces
Earning as you learn

PLUMBER / PIPEFITTER APPRENTICE TRAINING PROGRAMME

Phase 1: On the Job

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

Phase 2: Delivered in Training Centre (21 weeks)
Course Content:

Therm Processes and Mild Steel Pipework
Domestic Hot & Cold-Water Systems
Central Heating
Team Leadership
Communications

Phase 3: On the Job
Training and Assessments

Phase 4: Delivered in Educational College (11 weeks)

Phase 5: On the Job
Training and Assessments

Phase 6: Delivered in Educational College (11 weeks)

Phase 7: On the Job
Training and Assessments

INSTRUMENTATION

WHAT IS AN INSTRUMENTATION CRAFTSPERSON?

The work of an Instrumentation craftsperson involves the maintenance and repair of all instruments used in the measurement and control of process variables (e.g. in the chemical industry to measure and control the temperature, pressure and ﬂow, as appropriate, in various points of the process). The instrumentation craftsperson carries out installation, maintenance and calibration of measuring instruments, sensors, transmitting and controlling devices and systems associated with the measurement, control and protection of physical quantities found in these industries.

The measurement and control of these quantities enables products to be produced to specification, taking account of the safety of personnel, plant and equipment and the protection of the environment. Instrumentation craftsperson’s are employed in the installation and maintenance of measurement and control equipment in pharmaceutical, food and other industries.

Personal Qualities and Skills

As an Instrumentation craftsperson 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.

Aspects of work

Learning and developing new practical craft-related skills, knowledge and competence
Working with and learning from experienced craftsperson’s
Working with electricity and electronics
Comply with Health and Safety requirements
Using mathematics to solve technical or scientific problems
Being responsible for controlling or adjusting equipment
Working on machines/processes
Understanding technical drawings and diagrams
Accuracy and attention to detail
Being accurate with numbers in counting, measuring and arithmetic
Keeping accurate records of all calibrations or reports
Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
Taking responsibility for their own learning, including the allocation of study time
Being physically active
Working with a variety of specialised hand tools, power tools and equipment
Passing all your phase exams (theory, practical skills demonstration)
Earning as you learn

The Instrumentation Craftsperson 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

INSTRUMENTATION ELECTRICIAN TRAINING PROGRAMME

Phase 1: On the Job

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

Phase 2: Delivered in Training Centre (22 weeks)

Phase 3: On the Job
Training and Assessments

Phase 4: Delivered in Educational College (11 weeks)

Phase 5: On the Job
Training and Assessments

Phase 6: Delivered in Educational College (11 weeks)

Digital Electronics
Measurements
Control Systems
Related Theory

Phase 7: On the Job
Training and Assessments

SHEET METAL WORKING

WHAT IS A SHEET METAL WORKER?

Sheet metal workers work with thin metal sheets (up to 3mm thick) which they bend, cut and shape using hammers, small presses, roller machines and guillotines. Sheet metal workers work with sheet steel, galvanised steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, etc. and their work includes the cutting of these metals by using patterns or templates as guides, as well as shaping the metal by forming, bending, beating or rolling by means of manual and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machinery.

Sheet metal workers require many skills including:

Working with a variety of specialised hand and power tools to cut and shape the metal and to drill or punch holes
Knowledge of a range of piping systems
Interpreting technical drawings and diagrams
Understanding the scientific uses and properties of metals
Using mathematics to solve technical or scientific problems
Marking out and measuring
Operating CNC equipment
Hammering down (planish) excess surface weld metal

Personal Qualities and Skills

As a Sheet Metal Worker 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.

Aspects of work

Learning and developing new practical craft-related skills,
Knowledge and competence
Working with and learning from experienced craftsperson’s
Seeing a job through from start to finish
Comply with Health and Safety requirements
Using tools and operating machinery
Being responsible for controlling or adjusting equipment
Demonstrate good analytical and troubleshooting skills
Understanding technical drawings and diagrams
Being accurate with numbers in counting, measuring and arithmetic
Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
Keeping up to date with changing technologies
Being physically active
Taking responsibility for own learning, including the allocation of study time
Working in a noisy environment
Passing all your phase exams (theory, practical’s skills demonstration)
Earning as you learn

The Sheet Metal Worker 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

SHEET METAL WORKING APPRENTICE TRAINING PROGRAMME

Phase 1: On the Job

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

Phase 2: Delivered in Training Centre (22 weeks)

Induction
Sheet Metal Fundamentals
Geometry & Pattern Development
Thermal Processes
General Sheet Metalwork
Ductwork
Decorative Metalwork
Introduction to CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Sheet Metal
Manufacturing

Phase 3: On the Job
Training and Assessments

Phase 4: Delivered in Educational College (11 weeks)

Phase 5: On the Job
Training and Assessments

Phase 6: Delivered in Educational College (11 weeks)

Geometry & Pattern Development
CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing)
IT (Information Technology)
Stainless Steel
General Sheet Metalwork
Metal Roof Work
Thermal Processes
Special Areas

Phase 7: On the Job
Training and Assessments

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