Overview
SOLAS is Ireland's Further Education and Training Authority, responsible for funding and co-ordinating the state apprenticeship system. Irish apprenticeships combine structured on-the-job training with an employer and off-the-job training at an education and training provider, leading to a nationally recognised qualification in the chosen trade or occupation.
Who can apply
Apprentices must first secure employment with an employer registered to provide the specific apprenticeship, since Irish apprenticeships are employer-led: the employer takes on the apprentice and releases them for the off-the-job training phases.
Exam pattern
Apprenticeships run in alternating phases of on-the-job training (working with the employer) and off-the-job training (classroom and workshop learning at an education and training provider), with the number and length of phases varying by trade. Each phase includes assessment of practical skills and underpinning knowledge, and apprentices must pass the required phases to progress and to qualify at the end of the programme.
Marking and results
Successful completion leads to a nationally recognised apprenticeship qualification at the level set for that trade, reflecting both the practical competence and theoretical knowledge assessed across the phases.
How to apply
Candidates apply for apprenticeship vacancies advertised by registered employers, often through the national apprenticeship application system at apprenticeship.ie, rather than applying to SOLAS directly.
FAQs
Do I need a job before starting an apprenticeship in Ireland?
Yes. Irish apprenticeships are employer-led, so an apprentice must be taken on by an employer registered for that apprenticeship before training can begin.
What is the difference between on-the-job and off-the-job phases?
On-the-job phases are spent working and training with the employer; off-the-job phases are spent at an education and training provider for classroom and workshop-based learning, and apprenticeships alternate between the two.