Apprenticeship ยท Level 6 ยท Engineering

Metal Fabrication

A four-year craft apprenticeship making and installing metal structures, tanks and pipework. It suits physically active people who enjoy metalwork and power tools.

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
4 years (7 phases: 4 on-the-job, 3 off-the-job)
Award
QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft - Metal Fabrication
Where you train
  • National training centres and colleges (ETBs, TUs)
Pay
Employer pays a salary on-the-job; the ETB pays a training allowance during off-the-job phases (amount depends on the employer's sector).
Costs
Student contribution of EUR 1,000 for Phase 4 and EUR 1,000 for Phase 6 (higher education phases).

Entry requirements

  • Must have enough English to take part in training and assessment (e.g. Junior Cycle, Leaving Cert or LCA, NFQ Level 3 with Communications, or an approved English test such as B1 CEFR or IELTS 4.0-5.0)
  • Colour vision test: recommended by SOLAS for all crafts and mandatory for some crafts before registration
  • Full criteria are in the apprenticeship brochure; check with your local ETB

How to apply

You must be hired by an employer approved by SOLAS, who gives you a contract of employment. Search the Apprenticeship Jobs page by location and apprenticeship, or ask your local Education and Training Board.

Official page on apprenticeship.ie โ†—

What you'll learn

  • Measuring, marking out, cutting and welding steel and aluminium
  • Welding processes
  • Reading technical drawings
  • Installing structural steel
  • Safe workshop practice and tools

Where it can lead

  • Metal fabricator in structural steel, pressure vessels, boilers, shipbuilding and general engineering
  • Engineer, manager, business owner, teacher or instructor

Useful Leaving Cert subjects

Engineering, Technology, Design and Communication Graphics

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.