Kerry College this week announced that the QQI Level 6 Apprenticeships for the county will be two years in duration and will be delivered in partnership with FIT (FastTrack Into IT) who have a track record of running a range of apprenticeships for the tech and IT sectors.

FIT work with over one hundred employers across Ireland and is currently collaborating with partner organisations and employers in Kerry including Kerry SciTech to provide opportunities for tech apprentices from the county and the wider region.

Apprenticeships use an 'Earn While You Learn' model where a participating employer hires a tech apprentice who undertakes phases of on-the-job and off-the-job training before fully qualifying.

The first six months of the programme will be run online from the Kerry College Tech Apprenticeship Hub in Tralee, with the last 18 months split between Kerry College and the host employer. There are only 14 places on each apprenticeship.

GROWTH SECTOR

.

“We are delighted to partner with FIT to bring these two superb tech apprenticeships to County Kerry," Assistant Manager at Kerry College John Herlihy said. "This provides a fantastic option for school leavers and career changers to move into this growth sector and to earn as they learn. Kerry is home to over 70 companies in the tech sector at various levels – and as we come out of the pandemic we think this is the right time to offer these programmes to support and bring these important skillsets to the county and wider region.”

KerrySciTech Cluster Manager Aoife O’Brien added that “KerrySciTech members recognise how transformative apprenticeship programmes are for learners and business".

"Now, with the continuous growth of our STEM and associated digital sectors within the Kerry region, there has never been a better time to choose a career in our sector," she said.

"These two innovative tech apprenticeship programmes not only offer a new pathway into STEM but the combination of classroom learning with practical workplace training ensures that, when qualified, the apprentices will be equipped with all the necessary skills to progress as far as they want. We look forward to working with Kerry College and FIT as these programmes are rolled out.”

You can apply to become a tech apprentice at www.fit.ie/tech-apprenticeships/become-anapprentice/.
Employers who are interested in participating in these tech apprenticeships should contact FIT directly via fit.ie/tech-apprenticeships/hire-an-apprentice/.

You can browse and sign up for all Kerry College courses online at kerrycollege.ie/full-time-courses/.
For queries, contact the Admissions Office on 066 714 96 96 or info@kerrycollege.ie.