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This programme consists of alternating phases of on the job and off the job training, which provides for the integration of the knowledge and skills acquired in the training setting with those gained in the workplace.

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The National Wind Turbine Maintenance
Technician Apprenticeship is for people who
wish to pursue a career in the maintenance of
large scale commercial wind turbines.

It is designed to meet the needs of the growing Irish Renewable and Sustainable Energy sector. This apprenticeship was developed by a consortium of industry representatives and Kerry Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB) has been appointed as the lead educational
provider.

This guide gives employers information on their responsibilities in employing and training a new Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician Apprentice in collaboration with Kerry ETB.

Programme Overview

Programme Title
Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship

Duration
Three years

Certification
Advanced Certificate in Industrial Wind Turbine Engineering

Awarding Body
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) issues certificates as the awarding body

Programme Structure

Apprentices will be trained in a progressive manner and will get to put their skills into practice during both on and off the job training stages. On successful completion, the apprentice will be fully competent in the role of a Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician.

The following stages will be completed as part of the WTMT Apprenticeship:

Employers Suitability to Train Apprentices

Employer’s suitability to train apprentices will be assessed by SOLAS. SOLAS is the statutory regulator for all apprenticeships.

A SOLAS Authorised Officer will:

Conduct a site visit to assess the employers suitability to train apprentices
Brief employers on their roles and responsibilities in relation to the on the job elements of the apprenticeship
Asses and approve employers to register apprentices, through SOLAS Employer Approval and Code of Practice
Maintain apprentices and employer records

Employers may register their premises with SOLAS and once they receive Suitability to Train approval from SOLAS they may use the Generation Apprenticeship website to advertise for suitable apprentices. www.apprenticeship.ie

Employer Responsibilities

Recruitment

It is the employers' responsibility to:

Recruit the apprentice and present the apprentice for registration.
Ensure that the apprentice is a suitable candidate for training, is sufficiently knowledgeable about the occupation, and meets the entry requirements for the programme.
Make the apprentice available for the programme induction process.
Introduce the new apprentice to the community of practice in the workplace and to ensure that the apprentice is recognised as a novice member of the community.
To provide individualised support to the apprentice where necessary, especially in the early stages of the apprenticeship.

Curriculum

It is the employers' responsibility to:

Ensure the apprentice is given the learning opportunities required for the programme.
Ensure the apprentice is freed to take advantage of training opportunities.
Release the apprentice for all scheduled training classes.

Management

It is the employers' responsibility to:

Appoint one member of staff to act as a contact person for the providing ETB’s Programme Manager and Chef Instructor.
Allow ETB staff access to and observation of the apprentice at work.
Ensure that the apprentice keeps continuous records of experience and assessment and makes them available to providing ETB.

Supporting the Apprentice

It is the employers' responsibility to:

Appoint experienced and qualified staff as mentors to the apprentice and to free them for any necessary mentor or assessment training.
Ensure that the mentor carries out their duties with respect to the apprentice and to the providing ETB.

Employer Mentor

• Provide opportunities to enable the apprentice to achieve the learning outcomes of the programme.

• Facilitate the apprentice’s learning in the workplace by shadowing, coaching,
observing and guiding.
• Support the apprentice in communicating with the employer on training related issues.
• Support the apprentice in the workplace by ensuring that the apprentice is conversant with the normal work practices and rules pertaining to the occupation.
• Develop a sense of professionalism in the apprentice.
• Attend a mandatory briefing day and Effective Mentoring Skills workshop
prior to the apprentice commencing.
• Guide the apprentice in completing his/her programme workbook and when
the standard for each task has been reached, sign the assessment sheets.
• Ensure the apprentice uploads all assessment documents and evidence of workplace assessment.
• Communicate with Kerry ETBs Programme Manager on issues to do with the
apprentice and the programme.
• Participate in National Programme Board meetings if required and co-operate
with reviews of the programme

3 year programme

Entry Requirements

The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 18 years of age.

The minimum education requirements are:

A qualification placed at Level 4 Major Award of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) (a Pass Leaving Certificate or equivalent), OR have at least three years trade-related experience.
Pass Grade in Maths at Level 3 (or equivalent).
A minimum English Language proficiency of B2 in writing, reading, listening and speaking on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) for speakers of English as a second language.
A minimum of 5 passes in a certificate placed at EQF Level 3 for holders of EU qualifications.
In a case where an applicant does not meet the educational requirements specified above, they must satisfactorily complete an informative panel interview facilitated by the Programme Manager.

All candidates will undergo Suitability Tests:

Medical fitness to work assessment
Colour vision test
Heights test

In a case where an applicant does not meet the educational requirements specified above, they must satisfactorily complete an informative panel interview facilitated by the Programme Manager.

Useful Links

For more information on the Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician (WTMT) Apprenticeship, contact 066 7149600 or email [email protected]

For more information on Apprenticeship as a career pathway, visit the Generation Apprenticeship website: www.apprenticeship.ie

For information on Kerry Education and Training Board, which is the co-ordinating provider of the Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician (WTMT) Apprenticeship, visit the Kerry ETB website: www.kerryetb.ie

Download More Information

Become an Employer

The National Wind Turbine Maintenance
Technician Apprenticeship is for people who
wish to pursue a career in the maintenance of
large scale commercial wind turbines.

Programme Overview

Programme Structure

Employers Suitability to Train Apprentices