Volkswagen Group Ireland is supporting an initiative that helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into exciting careers, writes Trish Whelan.
TU Dublin’s Access to Apprenticeships programme, set up in 2018, is a springboard for young people who have previously struggled to get on to the career ladder. The industry-led scheme gives students, many of whom come from families with a history of intergenerational unemployment, hands-on experience with leading Irish employers.
The initiative has helped nearly 100 youngsters overcome traditional barriers to enter into full-time apprenticeships.
The 12-week programme gives students access to industry leaders via a series of hands-on workshops, site visits and mentoring opportunities. Students on the Access to Apprenticeships programme are exposed to a range of leading Irish companies. In addition to Volkswagen Group Ireland, other employers supporting the scheme include Jones Engineering, ESB Dublin Aerospace, Joe Duffy Motor Group and Irish Rail.
Students spend the first 10 weeks of the course learning more about the job opportunities available to them before spending the final two-weeks on work placement with their chosen employer. Successful candidates undertake four-year apprenticeships where they gain valuable qualifications while earning a wage.
As the largest provider of craft apprenticeship education in the country with facilities for training motor mechanics, heavy vehicle mechanics and vehicle body repair apprentices, up to 30pc of Ireland’s craft apprentices come through TU Dublin’s doors. Bobby Maher, Manager of the Access to Apprenticeship programme, says having the support of leading Irish employers like Volkswagen Group is key to the scheme’s success.
Last month, Volkswagen Group Ireland, one of 40 major Irish employers to have signed up to the scheme, opened the doors of its €2.5m National Learning Centre in west Dublin to students keen to find out more about apprenticeships in the motor industry.
Hosted by Head of Training John Cunningham, Director of Group Aftersales Robert Guy, Human Resources Manager Sandra Walker and Head of Group Technical Service Vicky Halton, the team provided valuable insights into the opportunities for students who come through Volkswagen Group apprenticeship.
Visitors received hands-on experience with the latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems as well as learning about the technology powering the latest battery electric vehicles.
With a total of 83 retailers in its nationwide dealer network, Volkswagen Group Ireland has opportunities aplenty for young apprentices living in Ireland or even looking to work further afield. One of their goals is to encourage more young people into the motor industry. “When you qualify as a Volkswagen Group technician, you can take your qualifications anywhere in the world.”
Volkswagen’s Robert Guy says Volkswagen Group Ireland 'is fully committed to the Access to Apprenticeships programme as it’s about delivering today while planning for tomorrow’. “Our focus is on future qualifications for High Voltage Technicians coupled with long term demand for qualified combustion engine vehicle technicians, and there has never been a better time to be an apprentice in the motor trade.”
