Why take this course?

This three-year apprenticeship programme offers on the job learning with an approved employer with one academic semester of study (15 weeks) per year in AIT. As the apprentice progresses, the complexity of the pre-assigned tasks he/she will be asked to complete will increase. This will range from observing experienced practitioners through to working autonomously as a polymer processing technologist. The apprentice’s completion of the tasks will be verified by an assigned industrial mentor. Each apprentice will be assigned an academic mentor from AIT who will be available for on-going support and to discuss progress made.

What will I experience?

Summer intake*: Apprenticeship contracts start in May.

Phase 1 – May to August (Observation based on-the-job learning phase in company)

Phase 2 – September to December (off-the-job learning semester in AIT)

Phase 3 – January to August (Practice based on-the-job learning phase in company)

Phase 4 – September to December (off-the-job learning semester in AIT)

Phase 5 – January to August (Application based on-the-job learning phase in company)

Phase 6 – September to December (final off-the-job learning semester in AIT)

Phase 7 – January to April (Final Autonomy based on-the-job learning phase in company)

Autumn intake*: Apprenticeship contracts start in September.

Phase 1 – September to December (Observation based on-the-job learning phase in company)

Phase 2 – January to April (off-the-job learning semester in AIT)

Phase 3 – May to December (Practice based on-the-job learning phase in company)

Phase 4 – January to April (off-the-job learning semester in AIT)

Phase 5 – May to December (Application based on-the-job learning phase in company)

Phase 6 – January to April (final off-the-job learning semester in AIT)

Phase 7 – May to August (Final Autonomy based on-the-job learning phase in company)

*Intake schedules will be based on demand from industry.

What opportunities might it lead to?

Polymer technology is a growing industry in Ireland with the number of companies rising to which boasts an annual turnover of €2.1 billion. This has driven strong jobs growth of 7.7% in the past couple of years with 7, employees now working across Ireland with major hubs in Athlone, Limerick, Galway, Sligo, Dublin, Cork and Waterford. The high-tech polymer industry is a driver of innovation in the medtech, ICT, biopharma, agri-food and automotive sectors. As well as being an industry of regional significance, the polymer sector is making a global impact with 77% of sales exported worth € billion annually. (Polymer Technology Ireland - IBEC)