Longford employee is one of Ireland’s first robotic and automation apprentices

JAMES McGovern, who works at Dynamic Control Solutions in Loughill is one of Ireland’s first ever Robotic and Automation Apprentices. He is currently in training at LMETB’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) in Dundalk, which has dedicated robotics and collaborative robotic labs designed to train learners in modern industrial automation.

LMETB is the first and currently only ETB in Ireland offering the apprenticeship. James is one of nine male and female apprentices in its first ever intake, coming from employers in mining, pharmaceutical, automation, construction and electronic components across eight counties - Cavan, Dublin, Galway, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath and Westmeath.

The Robotics and Automation apprenticeship was developed by an industry consortium in conjunction with LMETB and validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). This means that other ETBs can apply for validation to offer the apprenticeship in the future.

Along with industry opportunities the completion of the apprenticeship provides a potential academic progression opportunity to the Southern Regional College in Armagh to enter the third year of a degree programme.

James was at AMTCE’s recent cross-border Advanced and Sustainable Manufacturing Expo where he met Erin McGreehan TD, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

Deputy Erin McGreehan said:

“Advanced manufacturing is about people as much as technology. It is people who develop, operate and adapt new technologies and turn them into commercial opportunities. As Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, it was my pleasure to meet with James and the other Robotics and Automation Apprentices at AMTCE in Dundalk.

“As the manufacturing sector grows more sophisticated, we need technicians, engineers, data specialists, robotics experts and software developers, and that means backing apprenticeships, further education and lifelong learning. It is vital that SMEs, which don’t have the resources of a multinational to build their own training or R&D facilities, can access these opportunities too.”

At the Expo, small business representatives and industry leaders, researchers, training experts and policy makers met to accelerate cross border collaboration in advanced and sustainable manufacturing.

Martin O’Brien, Chief Executive of LMETB commented:

“We are committed to ensuring that learners have access to the skills, facilities and training needed by industry. By strengthening links between employers and education and training providers, we can develop the talent our industries need to grow and remain competitive. We look forward to continuing this work with our partners in industry, education and government to support a more skilled, innovative and sustainable manufacturing.”