SOLAS has the overall responsibility for managing apprenticeship nationally. Athlone Training Centre has responsibility for the administration and management of the apprenticeship programme in the Midlands Region. Apprenticeship is governed by the Rules of Apprenticeship in the designated occupations and Athlone Training Centre provides a support service to help apprentices to gain the knowledge, skills and competencies required to perform effectively as a craftsperson.

Apprenticeship is standard based. During your apprenticeship there is a requirement to follow a specific course of training and undergo a series of assessments to confirm that the required standard has been reached.

Apprenticeship generally comprises of seven phases, three off-the-job and four-on-the-job. The only exceptions to the above are the Floor/Wall Tiling and Print Media apprenticeships, which have five phases, three on-the-job, and two off-the-job training phases.

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