Published on: Thursday, 10 October 2019

The Irish Medtech Association, the Ibec group which represents the sector, celebrated first graduating class Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship (Level 6) with CIT, the Higher Education Authority, and Solas, in Galway.

Ibec Medtech & Engineering Director, Sinead Keogh said: “The Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship is a radical modernisation from the traditional apprenticeships which offers new routes to high-tech manufacturing industries. I would like to congratulate the 29 graduates on their achievement along with participating businesses in Cork which include DePuy Synthes, Alcon and Stryker. This unique programme is essential to future proof Ireland’s worldclass manufacturing.”

Chair of the Manufacturing Apprenticeship Consortium and CEO Cambus Medical, Barry Comerford said: “This apprenticeship programme has given participants the opportunity to gain qualifications by studying subjects such as computer aided design, engineering science, and lean manufacturing. The Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship (Level 6) not only has a high completion rate but are also performing exceptionally well. As an ex-army apprentice, I know from personal experience how far an apprenticeship can take you.”

SOLAS Executive Director for Skills Development Mary-Liz Trant said: ‘I’d like to congratulate the first apprentice cohort completing this exciting new apprenticeship for the manufacturing and engineering industries, nationally we have 16,500 apprentices completing training and almost 6000 companies engaged in apprenticeship programmes.

GMIT is the lead provider of the Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship which is also delivered by CIT, Limerick IT and IT Sligo. To find out more about the apprenticeships, visit www.manufacturingapprenticeships.ie