Abundance of choice at ISL
Ireland Skills Live will showcase a range of careers, writes Susan Gill of Solas
THERE has never been a more exciting time to consider an apprenticeship. With 45 disciplines available and more than 30 in the pipeline, one word springs to mind when describing apprenticeship in Ireland: choice. There are degree programmes in Insurance Practice and Financial Services, advanced certificates in Accounting and Electrical, with even masters and doctoral programmes rolling out later this year. Spanning between two and four years, apprentices complete at least 50pc of their training on the job, gaining hugely valuable industry experience.
It is easy to see why, currently, there are more than 15,000 apprentices choosing this path to career satisfaction. What’s not to like? You’re employed from your first day of training and get paid competitively, while also earning a national qualification.
Industry-led and demand-driven, apprenticeships equip learners with employment-ready skills which will be showcased at the largest-ever national event of its kind, Ireland Skills Live.
Watch as inspiring celebrity chefs, software developers and aircraft designers tell their own personal stories of success on the ‘Heroes’ stage. Listen to career advice from employers and learn which companies are hiring apprentices at the ‘Skills Careers Live’ space or even participate in a skills demonstration yourself. From pancake-flipping to virtual welding, there is no shortage of activities to get stuck into.
Of the many events taking place over the three days, the National Skills final is sure to be a nail-biter, with the most ambitious and dedicated apprentices from around the country competing for a chance to become a National Champion and to represent Ireland at WorldSkills in Kazan, Russia. Historically, Ireland excels at WorldSkills and boasts numerous gold medal winners demonstrating, quite literally, that we have some of the best apprenticeship and skills training in the world.
So school-leavers, career changers and backto-workers, come along to Ireland Skills Live from March 21-23 and be left in no doubt about what fantastic opportunities apprenticeship can offer. When it comes to deciding on a rewarding, sustainable career path, the medley of opportunities can be sometimes overwhelming. Ireland Skills Live makes that choice easy. Choose excellence. Choose apprenticeship.
What’s not to like? You’re employed from your first day of training and get paid competitively, while also earning a national qualification