Ireland’s Electricity Supply Board (ESB) are looking for up to 96 aspiring electrical trade professionals to enrol into their ESB Networks Electrical Apprenticeship Programme.

The four-year programme combines both college-based classroom learning and hands-on experience and will culminate in a QQI Advanced Level 6 certificate in Electrical Trade, which is internationally recognised.

The programme is paid and ESB will be accepting online applications until 28 March at 12pm.

The programme is open to applicants who will be 16 years of age or older by 1 June 2022. Applicants can use either their Junior, Leaving Certificate or Leaving Certificate Applied certification to apply for the programme.

Student experience

Zara Bloomer is a third-year apprentice in the programme. She says her experience so far has been a positive one.

“The apprenticeship programme is a great opportunity to get on-the-job experience and every day is different.

“You learn so much through the support of mentors and teammates, and it is great to see how my role can help ESB Networks as a whole in the future.”

An exciting time to join

ESB outlines the benefits of the programme – and choosing a career as an electrical technician – as being able to operate within a team environment, being able to work both indoors and out and having the freedom to travel and use the qualification in other parts of the world.

Nicholas Tarrant, managing director of ESB networks, says it’s an exciting time to join the organisation as they strive to achieve their net-zero targets by 2040.

“Our apprentices play a crucial role in this by ensuring we have the skills and expertise necessary to continue to develop and connect more renewables to the electricity network while building a resilient infrastructure that will be central to addressing climate change,” he says.

“I look forward to welcoming our new team members later in the year.”

In terms of skills and aptitude for the job, there are no prerequisites for the apprenticeship programme in itself, but Anne Gaskin-Roe, HR business partner at ESB Networks says this type of work is perfect for anyone who likes different tasks each day.

“The profession of an electrician is suited to anyone who wants a job where you work with your hands and where no two days are the same,” she says.

“It is a job for problem solvers, working indoors and outdoors, and as part of a team.”

The apprenticeship can be completed from any ESB depot throughout the country, but parts of the programme will take place in the ESB Networks Training Centre, which is located in Portlaoise.

Interested parties can find out more at esbnetworks.ie/careers