ESB offers apprentices opportunities

400 redundant electrical apprentices to be offered programme places

Thanks to ESB, 400 redundant electrical apprentices, who have been unable to complete their craft qualification because of the economic downturn, are to be offered an opportunity to finish their training.

ESB announced on Tuesday, February 10th that, from March 2009, the company's Networks Division will begin training a total of 400 apprentices who lost their jobs before they were able to complete their electrical apprenticeships.

ESB has agreed a programme with FÁS to begin offering onthe- job training opportunities to redundant apprentices from March. FÁS will write to all redundant electrical apprentices on its register, inviting them to apply for places and it is expected that the first 100 apprentices will have commenced the programme by mid April.

It is estimated that a total of 800 electrical apprentices nationally have lost their jobs while training. As a result, they are unable to complete the necessary on-the-job training aspect of their apprenticeship and therefore cannot achieve national craft accreditation.

Announcing the initiative, ESB Chief Executive Padraig McManus said, the chance for apprentices to complete their training is critical for their future careers.

"Without full qualifications, apprentices will not be able to work as electricians and their career opportunities will be far more limited," he said. "ESB Networks has the expertise and resources to enable the apprentices to complete their training and ESB staff are delighted to be able to assist in this very important initiative."