NEW APPRENTICESHIP FOR ENGINEERING SKILLS WILL OFFER STUDENTS LOCAL TRAINING AND JOBS

COMBILIFT AMONG THE BACKERS OF THE SCHEME CALL TO END ACADEMIC SNOBBERY

Secondary students in County Monaghan who don’t want to go to College but are seeking to develop their skills and work locally are being encouraged to apply for a new apprentice programme for engineering skills. The national scheme which was officially launched on Monday by Ministers Heather Humphreys and Joe McHugh has the backing of a major employer in the area, Combilift. Co-founder and managing director Martin McVicar said apprenticeships needed to be seen in a different light by students, teachers and parents, and not as a “fall-back option” to the points system for university entrance.

The first Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) apprenticeship in Ireland, a threeyear “learn-and-earn” education programme, will start in March. It will be run in this region by Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board and classes over sixteen weeks annually will be held at Monaghan Institute. The rest of the time, the…