Our Apprenticeship Recruitment Programme
We have garages in Dublin, Dundalk, Drogheda, Cavan, Cork, Waterford, Tralee, Limerick, Thurles, Galway, Sligo, Donegal, Athlone, Longford and Ballina.
Bus Eireann co-ordinates the recruitment of Apprentice Heavy Vehicle Mechanics for Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus.
Applications must be made online through our websites careers.buseireann.ie or www.dublinbus.ie/careers.
Our recruitment process
You’ll find our recruitment process for the Heavy Vehicle Mechanic Apprenticeship at Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus friendly, easy to use and designed to ensure quality. Start your application by clicking on the links on one of our websites - careers.buseireann.ie or www.dublinbus.ie/careers.
Candidates will be required to complete a competency-based interview and a practical assessment in the initial stages of the recruitment process. We require satisfactory references from your previous employers and finally a pre-employment medical examination which includes a colour vision test.
Ready to come on board?
Age Requirement
Candidates must be aged 16 or over before commencing an apprenticeship which usually start in September each year.
Educational Qualifications
Candidates must have obtained the following minimum standards at the time of applying:
| Qualification | Level Required |
|---|---|
| Preparatory training for Apprenticeship programmes |
Full certificate |
| Junior Certificate | 5 Achieved grades or higher |
| Leaving Certificate Applied | 50 credits or above |
| Vocational Leaving Certificate | 3 grades D’s or higher |
| Leaving Certificate | 3 H6/O6 grades or higher (Foundation level Maths or Irish not acceptable). |
| FETAC/QQI Level 3 Major Awards | Minimum 6 modules including 3 core – Communication, Mathematics OR Application of Number and Functional Mathematics, Personal Effectiveness |
| FETAC/QQI Level 4 Major Awards | Minimum 5 modules |
| FETAC/QQI Level 5 Major Awards | Minimum 5 modules |
Note: The qualification used for entry to an apprenticeship programme must be from one specific programme.
What we can offer you
We recruit the best and in return, we offer an excellent and competitive benefits package that is mindful of you and your family.
Our apprenticeship positions are open to everyone.
You will be trained to the highest possible technical standards and acquire, amongst many other skills, the ability to maintain the various systems associated with modern public service vehicles. This includes training on the various day to day repairs and preventative maintenance tasks, in addition to vehicle diagnostics/fault finding with some of the most advanced systems of its kind in place.
Our apprentices have achieved great success in the National Skills Competition over the years which is testament to the training they have received.
Our Heavy Vehicle Mechanic Apprenticeship Phases
The apprenticeship comprises of seven phases, three off-the-job and four on-the job. During all of these phases you are assessed on a structured ongoing basis.
On-the-job training takes place with Bus Éireann/Dublin Bus in the garage during the below phases:
- Phase 1
- Phase 3
- Phase 5
- Phase 7
Off-the-job training is designated by SOLAS as follows:
- Phase 2: SOLAS Education and Training Board (ETB) Training Centre in Dublin, Cork or Waterford.
- Phase 4: Department of Education and Skills – TUS Athlone or TU Dublin.
- Phase 6: Department of Education and Skills – TUS Athlone or TU Dublin.
All off-the-job College fees are paid for by the company
Phase 1 - 2
| Phase 1 | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| On the job training in designated garage. | Off the job training SOLAS Training Centre in Dublin, Cork or Waterford. |
Phase 3 - 4
| Phase 3 | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| On the job training in designated garage. | Off the job training in college - TUS Athlone or TU Dublin. |
Phase 5, 6 and 7
| Phase 5 | Phase 6 | Phase 7 |
|---|---|---|
| On the job training in designated garage. | Off the job training in college - TUS Athlone or TU Dublin. | On the job training in designated garage. |
Benefits
- Competitive rate of pay.
- Working 5 over 7 days.
- An element of overtime may be available to enhance your earnings, but is not guaranteed.
- Career advancement opportunities.
- Medical scheme.
- G.P. Scheme for you and your family.
- Tool box equipped with required tools provided by the company.
- College fees paid by the Company.
- Travel concessions.
- Personal Protective Equipment.
- Laundry service included.
- Training and upskilling.
- Sports & Social Club.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Credit Union.
- Free car parking.
- Subsidised canteen.
Training and Development (dependant on garage location)
- Manual handling.
- Working at Heights.
- Abrasive wheels.
- Roadside Vehicle recovery.
- Training to Category C, D (bus), E+ Licences.
Continuing your education with us
The Staff Study Scheme in Bus Éireann or the Education Support Scheme in Dublin Bus, are both designed to encourage our employees to acquire qualifications & skills which will assist in their personal development and enable them to give a greater contribution in their role and our services to the public.