Apprenticeship ยท Level 6 ยท Engineering

Sheet Metalworking

A four-year craft apprenticeship cutting, bending and shaping thin metal sheet. It suits accurate people who enjoy technical drawing and maths.

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 - Sheet Metal Work
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

  • Cutting and shaping metal with hand and power tools
  • Piping systems
  • Properties of metals
  • Maths for technical problems
  • CNC equipment and technical drawings

Where it can lead

  • Sheet metal worker in ventilation, catering equipment, electronics hardware and vehicle manufacturing
  • Engineer, manager, business owner 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.

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.