Apprenticeship – Carpentry and Joinery

Duration:
Block release as part of the apprenticeship (11 weeks for phase 4 and 10 weeks for phase 6.)

Overview:
An apprenticeship is a training and education programme, which mixes learning in a college such as DFEi with work-based learning in a company. This Carpentry and Joinery apprenticeship programme is a 4-year programme consisting of 7 phases. Apprentices’ complete phases 1, 3, 5 and 7 with a registered employer. Phases 4 and 6 are completed as block release whereby you attend a college such as DFEi to complete. Operated in conjunction with SOLAS, each block release phase in DFEi is of 10- or 11-weeks’ duration. Attend DFEi for an 11-week block during phase 4 of your apprenticeship and again for another 10-week block during phase 6. On successful completion of all 7 phases of the apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified Carpenter and Joiner with a QQI Level 6 internationally recognised advanced certificate, Craft – Carpentry and Joinery. This course aims to equip apprentices with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to work to the highest standard in this trade. Carpenters and Joiners are required to prepare, build, and install a wide range of wood products including doors, windows, floors, walls, staircases, and roof trusses. On completion of the full SOLAS Advanced Craft Certificate, opportunities are available for advancement.

To Become an Apprentice in Carpentry and Joinery:

To become an apprentice and participate in the Apprenticeship Training Scheme, applicants must be registered with SOLAS

To become a registered apprentice, individuals must first find employment as an apprentice with a SOLAS approved employer.  The SOLAS approved employer/company then registers the apprentice with SOLAS.  You do not apply to DFEi to do this apprentice course

As a registered apprentice, SOLAS allocates the apprentice to a college such as DFEi to complete Phases 4 and 6 of their training

Entry Requirements:
One of the following:

• The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age. There is no maximum age limit.
• The minimum educational requirements are:
• Grade D in five subjects in the Junior Certificate or an approved equivalent or
• The successful completion of an approved Pre–Apprenticeship course or
• Three years’ work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable

Course Modules:

• Carpentry/Joinery Practical
• Carpentry/Joinery Theory
• Technical Drawing
• Mathematics

Certification:

• QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Carpentry and Joinery (6M18174)

Work Experience:
Apprentices complete phases 1, 3, 5 and 7 with a registered employer.

Additional Information:
DFEi has a strong tradition of training apprentices, having been involved in this area for over 60 years. DFEi is currently the only provider of Phase 4 and 6 Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship in Dublin. DFEi has a strong tradition in preparing apprentices for the Department of Education and Skills IrelandSkills competition as well as the WorldSkills competition. DFEi has an excellent history of training winners in these competitions.

Progression Opportunities:

On completion of the full SOLAS Advanced Craft Certificate, opportunities are available for advancement

• Apprentices are eligible to fill supervisory or technical positions in the construction industry.
• Apprentices are also eligible to apply through the CAO and/or the Higher Education Links Scheme for entry to year one of a range of higher certificate and degree programmes, at Universities, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities using their full QQI Level 6 major award. Places are not guaranteed in these Institutes and are subject to students meeting certain criteria.  It is the students’ responsibility to consult with the relevant HEI for information on the admissions process and any specific entry requirements. Students may also refer to the individual HEI prospectus or may also refer to the QQI section of the CAO website. www.cao.ieExamples of CAO progression opportunities are listed below.

Progression Examples:

BSc Sustainable Timber Technology (TU838) – Advanced entry into 2nd Year

Technological University of Dublin (City) – www.tud.ie

BSc in Furniture Design and Manufacture (GA981) – Advanced entry into 2nd Year

BSc in Furniture Making and Architectural Woodworking (GA982) – Advanced entry into 2nd Year

BSc in Furniture and Digital Manufacturing (GA983) – Advanced entry into 2nd Year

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology www.gmit.ie

Career Paths:
Opportunities arise from time to time for promotion to supervisor level. Many apprentices use their apprenticeship qualification as a platform to launch careers such as managers, owners of businesses, teachers and instructors, amongst others.