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A STATE-OF-THE-ART apprentice training facility has opened at Liebherr Container Cranes, Killarney. As part of a continued investment in people and technology, Liebherr has invested over €250,000 in the expansion and upgrading of its apprentice training facilities. The investment will facilitate the introduction of a new programme in metal fabrication and welding which Liebherr launched this year, under the guidance of apprentice instructor Seán Dorris.

Liebherr Container Cranes has been manufacturing cranes in its Killarney plant since it was established in 1958 with the first group of apprentices starting their apprenticeship in 1959.

In a ceremony on July 10 at Liebherr Container Cranes, the apprentices, management and directors of Liebherr officially opened an expanded apprentice training facility. The ceremony was attended by stakeholders from industry partners - IT Tralee, Kerry Cork and Limerick ETB Training Centres and Solas.

Apprenticeships are a vital component of Liebherr’s business strategy and this is reflected with this significant investment. The new facility hosts 10 welding cubicles with 20 welding machines along with state-of-the-art production equipment such as a 90 tonne press brake, a 30 kilowatt guillotine, a multi-function 60 tonne iron worker, a semi-automatic bandsaw, a section rolls, a section profiler, pillar drill and tube notcher.

Liebherr are currently educating 77 apprentices in three different disciplines: Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitter (MAMF), Electricians and the newly introduced programme in Metal Fabrication and Welding. Liebherr’s traditional apprenticeship scheme has been reformed significantly in recent years to cater for the increasing technical complexities of its products which demands the highest level of skills in all areas. The new programme includes a partnership with IT Tralee allowing young ambitious trainees to attain 3rd level qualifications in engineering up to and including an honours degree. The prized qualifications allowing an “Earn and learn” approach are highly sought after and attract hundreds of applicants each year.

The new facility is the latest investment in apprentice training and the investment almost doubles in size the existing apprentice training school in Liebherr Container Cranes. The tradition of both a practical and theoretical education is synonymous with Liebherr. Many of the senior positions currently in the company are held by personnel who started their careers as apprentices including the Technical Director Charlie McCarthy. It is the belief in Liebherr that the value of a practical background cannot be underestimated and is key to understanding the theory of engineering. This new programme and continued investment in education by Liebherr will ultimately lead to highly competent individuals who have mastered the practical skills as well as having an in-depth understanding of the theory behind them.

Since the first apprentices passed through the Liebherr gate in 1959, over 1000 apprentices have been trained and qualified in Killarney.
 

 
Above: Liebherr apprentices and their instructors.