It’s a hands-on, real-world route a career

© 2020, Adam Flynn

Leaving school I really wanted to take a ‘real-world hands-on’ route and start my career as soon as possible. I decided to join the company after spending countless hours researching suitable third-level courses. I didn’t want to go into an area with limited job opportunities, but somewhere with plenty of demand for skilled and competent personnel.

For me, apprenticeships are a vital part of Irish education and training. You face different challenges throughout the four years of training - like moving away from home to complete 12 weeks of training at an Institute of Technology somewhere around the country, to mastering different aspects of learning on the programme.

As well as the advanced technical skills I gained, I got a massive boost in self-confidence from meeting so many new people. Another real highlight was representing Ireland on the world stage at the 2019 World Skills competition. None of which would have been possible without going the apprenticeship route.

This direct route into working life has really worked for me. Now my employer has given me responsibility to lead on jobs; and seeing a finished product at the end gives me a great sense achievement