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Tech Trainee / Apprenticeships

Ships are complicated systems working in an often hazardous environment. Most modern ships are driven by large diesel engines which are run continuously for days sometimes even weeks. These require constant care and attention, maintenance, and in the event of a breakdown need to be quickly repaired.

Tech Training Staff. From left CPO Paul Stoat, CPO Gerry Cusack and CPO Michael McCarthy

Electrical systems aboard ship are comparable in size to most small to medium size factories, these also require care, attention and maintenance, particularly because water and electricity don’t mix, but also because most of the ancillary equipment aboard ship require electrical power.

The structures aboard ship that separate cabin spaces (bulkheads), the doorways, doors, and hatches that separate the ship into different compartments also require a large amount of care and attention, to ensure that the water tightness of compartments  is maintained during those times when conditions are hazardous. Also there is a need to ensure that if one of these hatches or bulkheads fail that they can be shored up to prevent further damage.

Most of these maintenance and repair functions are carried out by the various Tradesmen aboard ship. These are the people who are the first point of call when something goes wrong. The Engine Room Artificer, the Electrical Artificer and the Hull Artificer are equivalent to Fitter / Turners, Electricians, and Carpenter / Joiners and then some as they have to work on a moving platform in sometimes very difficult conditions.

To obtain the qualification of any one of these persons you need to follow a Tech Trainee Scheme (Apprenticeship). Click here for more information on application for apprenticeships in the Defence Forces http://www.military.ie/careers/apprenticeships.htm