Limerick students included in inaugural OEM Engineering Apprenticeship graduations

The OEM Engineering Apprenticeship Programme graduates include Limerick students in the the very first cohort to graduate. Lafayette Photography

OEM Engineering Apprenticeship programme’s inaugural graduation ceremony took place and nine apprentices from both Limerick and Monaghan were the very first cohort to graduate

The OEM apprenticeship is targeted at the Original Equipment Manufacturing, Installation and Service Sector which sells to national and international markets and is a national apprenticeship programme which is managed by Cavan and Monaghan ETB with collaborating provider Limerick and Clare ETB.

It was a particularly special occasion as the nine apprentices from both Limerick and Monaghan were the very first cohort to graduate from the prestigious programme.

Graduates of the programme received a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in OEM Engineering and are qualified as OEM Engineering Technicians, a widely sought-after skillset in the manufacturing, installation, servicing and commissioning sectors, both nationally and globally.

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The OEM Apprenticeship programme represents a new and exciting way to study Engineering, leading to excellent career prospects in an array of industries.

Employers from all over the country currently have apprentices participating on the programme and the nine companies with graduating apprentices this year included Combilift, Dennison Trailers, Jungheinrich, Keenan Alltech, Tanco, Abbey Machinery, Dennehy’s Garden Centre, GEON and Turmec.

One graduate from the College of FET, Raheen Campus is John Pomeroy from Kildimo in Co Limerick who completed his apprenticeship with GEON Engineering. The company, based in Shannon, Co Clare, offers a complete solution for enterprises struggling to get a machine or process off the shelf.

Before beginning his OEM Engineering Apprenticeship, John completed a two-year course in Sports but his father John Snr, who is Technical Director with GEON Engineering was keen for his son to join the family business. He identified the OEM Engineering Apprenticeship as being the perfect fit for John to develop the skills necessary to take the family business into the future.

John, a self-described petrol head, has always had a great interest in engines and mechanics and so excelled in this area. He relished the practical approach to the OEM apprenticeship, with Mechatronics being his favourite module. While the module most relevant to his business was Electrical and Electronic Technology he felt he struggled somewhat with the Math element. This was where the wrap around supports available on the apprenticeship proved invaluable. John credits his success in this area to the second-to-none assistance from his Math tutor Ben O’Sullivan.

John is currently working alongside his dad at GEON Engineering and thoroughly enjoys his work, especially the variety “Every day is different with this type of work, you never know what challenge a new day will bring.”

In the long term, while John Jnr may someday end up at the helm of GEON Engineering in the meantime, he is happy to further develop his skills and to keep learning from his dad, who he describes as an amazingly intelligent individual.

After his time as an apprentice, John also said he feels that learning needs to move away from being so heavily based on theoretical learning, towards much more practical programmes such as the OEM Engineering Apprenticeship programme.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony Director of Further Education and Training at Limerick and Clare ETB Paul Patton said “Limerick and Clare ETB is so proud today to celebrate the graduation of the first OEM Engineering Apprentices from its College of FET, Raheen Campus. As OEM Engineering Technicians, you have gained valuable skills to benefit yourself and employers throughout Ireland”.

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Read more Limerick and Clare ETB stories here.