Apprenticeship ยท Level 6 ยท Engineering

Manufacturing Technology

A two-year apprenticeship supporting production in factories. It suits detail-minded people who like maths and science and working in a team.

How apprenticeships work: you are hired by an approved employer and paid while you learn, mixing work with blocks of training in a college or training centre. You don't apply through the CAO and you don't need CAO points.

Key facts

How long
2 years
Award
QQI Level 6 Higher Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering
Where you train
  • Higher education institution (off-the-job); managed by Irish Manufacturing Association (Ibec)
Pay
Employer pays a salary; rate agreed with your employer.
Costs
Student contribution of โ‚ฌ1,500 a year (โ‚ฌ3,000 in total), paid to the higher education institution.

Entry requirements

  • Full criteria are in the Manufacturing Apprenticeship brochure

How to apply

You must be hired by an approved employer. Send an enquiry or apply on the Manufacturing Apprenticeships website.

Apply (Ibec Manufacturing Apprenticeships) โ†— Official page on apprenticeship.ie โ†—

What you'll learn

  • Quality management systems
  • Reading mechanical drawings and using CAD
  • Routine equipment calibration
  • Operating production equipment
  • Lean manufacturing and problem solving

Where it can lead

  • Manufacturing technician in pharma, med-tech, engineering and food production

Useful Leaving Cert subjects

Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Technology

These help with the content of the programme; they are not entry requirements unless listed above.

Other Engineering apprenticeships

Tertiary degrees in Engineering and Engineering Trades

Not sure which route suits you?

Our CAO Interest Test matches you to course areas, and now shows apprenticeships and tertiary degrees in your strongest areas too.

Take the CAO Interest Test โ†’ Try the free 3-minute test

Information from apprenticeship.ie, checked November 2026. Details can change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.