Department of Engineering Trades
Head of Department : P. Ainsworth
Departmental Staff
Courses:
National Certificate in Technology (Furniture Design and Making) - 2yrs
Apprenticeship Course in Engineering Trades - 4yrs
Apprenticeship Course in Building Trades - 4yrs
GA015 FURN
Aims
To equip young people with the skills and capabilities to design and make high quality furniture and to provide a seed ground for the development of an indigenous furniture industry in Ireland which will be committed to quality products.
This course is provided by Galway RTC in partnership with Connemara West, and operates at The Furniture College�, Letterfrack, Co Galway.
Entry Requirements
MINIMUM entry requirement is: Pass (Grade D3 or better) in five Leaving Certificate subjects including Mathematics and English or Irish. Points will be calculated from the SIX best subjects.
Applicants will be sent a questionnaire by the College on which they must indicate the headings under which they will present material for assessment. Those who return the questionnaire by the required closing date will be invited to attend for assessment at Letterfrack in April/May when they will be given a tour of the Centre and its facilities. It is important that applicants bring any relevant projects carried out by them in the areas of Art, Craft, Design or related topics, whether done at school, at work or at home. Examples of this work might include: Construction/Engineering Studies Drawings, Projects (written and practical), Technical Drawings, Sketch Books, Art attainments etc.
Places are awarded on an aggregation of Leaving Certificate points and assessment points.
Course Duration
Two years full-time. Also available under ACCS.
Career Outlets
Graduates are equipped to work in small to medium sized furniture workshops whether involved in production furniture, batch runs or specialist products. Related businesses which also seek these skills are shopfitting, interior design and architectural practices. After gaining some employment experience, graduates may establish their own small businesses for which advice and assistance is available.
Course Content
The same broad course of subjects is followed in Years 1 and 2, with more advanced treatment in the second year. The main areas of study are:
Furniture Design and Making, Drawing, Design Methods, Technology Studies, History of Furniture, Communication Studies, General and Business Studies.
This course is semesterised and progress to each semester is dependant on each previous semester performance.
Recognition by Professional Bodies
Under negotiation.
Opportunities for Further Study
Opportunities exist for progression to Diploma and Degree level programmes in Furniture/Product Design in Ireland and the EU. A number of graduates have taken this route.
A two-year add-on Bachelor�s Degree in Furniture Manufacture is currently being developed by the College for "The Furniture College" at Letterfrack.
Further Information
Jim O'Connor, RTC Galway.
(091) 753161.
Kieran O'Donohue, Connemara West Centre, Letterfrack, Co Galway.
Telephone (095) 41047/4 Fax (095)41112.
Aims
To prepare all trade students for the Department of Education Junior and Senior Trade examinations; to foster in the students the desire and motivation to further expand their academic horizons; to help develop in students a pride in their work and abilities.
Entry Requirements
You can enter the above courses by the following routes:
Through F�S. Contact your local F�S Training Centre which will advise you of the F�S entry requirements.
By seeking and being offered employment by registered contractors, companies or businesses and duly registering with F�S as an apprentice.
Course Duration (Four year apprenticeship)
For Electrical apprentices entering directly from F�S:
Electrical apprentices attend the College for a total of thirty three weeks, eleven weeks per year in each of the first three years. In the first year the eleven weeks are spent in two periods of five and six weeks (split block-release). In years two and three the eleven weeks are continuous (block-release).
The Department of Education Junior Trade Certificate examinations are taken at the end of Year 1 and the Senior Trade examinations at the end of Year 3. The final year of the course is spent on the job.
For Electrical apprentices recruited directly by employers or companies:
Apprentices attend College for a total of forty four weeks over four years, eleven weeks (block-release) course in each of the four years.
The Department of Education Junior Trade Certificate examinations are taken at the end of Year 2 and the Senior Trade examinations at the end of Year 4.
Mechanical apprentices recruited by employers or companies attend courses at colleges other than Galway RTC.
For Motor Engineering apprentices entering directly from F�S:
Motor Engineering apprentices attend the college for an eleven week (six plus five) split block-release course in the first year of their apprenticeship. In the second and third year, apprentices attend on a day-release basis - one day per week, for a total of thirty five weeks per year. Year four is spent on the job.
The Department of Education Junior Trade Certificate examinations are taken at the end of the split block-release course and the Senior Trade examinations at the end of the third year day-release course.
For Motor Engineering apprentices recruited directly by employers or companies:
Motor Engineering apprentices attend the College for one day a week for thirty five weeks per year for the full four years.
The Department of Education Junior Trade examinations are taken at the end of Year 2 and the Senior Trade examinations at the end of Year 4.
Career Outlets
Qualified tradespersons can be considered for diverse positions: chargehand, foreman, site foreman, general foreman, supervisor, senior supervisor, engineering technician and draughtsperson, service engineer etc. Opportunities exist in Ireland, Europe and throughout the world. Many qualified tradespersons set up their own building firms, contracting companies, manufacturing companies and retail outlets.
Course Content
Electrical Engineering: Mathematics and Craft Calculations, Technical Drawing, Engineering Science, Electrical Science, Electronics, Electrical Craft Theory, Electrical Installation Work, Planning of Electrical Installations, Industrial Studies, Computers.
Motor Engineering: Mathematics and Craft Calculations, Motor Vehicle Theory, Automobile Electricity, Technical Drawing, Craft Science, Garage Practice, Workshop Practice, Diesel Mechanics, Industrial Studies.
Qualification
Apprentices who pass all obligatory Trade Examinations at Junior and Senior level are awarded the National Craft Certificate which is recognised internationally.
Opportunities for Further Study
Students with academic ability, motivation and ambition can further their education by private study, taking night classes or correspondence courses, or attending Certificate, Diploma or Engineering Degree courses at RTCs or Universities.
Teacher training courses are also available to those with appropriate qualifications, and training instructor and trade teacher positions are available in industry, in companies, and in state bodies for those with the requisite qualifications.
Further Information
Pat Ainsworth.
Aims
To prepare all trade students for the Department of Education Junior and Senior Trade examinations; to foster in the students the desire and motivation to further expand their academic horizons; to help develop a pride in their work and abilities.
Entry Requirements
You can enter the above courses by the following routes:
Through F�S. Contact your local F�S Training Centre who will advise you of the F�S entry requirements.
By seeking and being offered employment by registered contractors, companies or businesses and duly registering with F�S.
Course Duration (Four year apprenticeship)
For Carpentry and Joinery apprentices entering directly from F�S:
Carpentry and Joinery apprentices attend the College for an eight week split block-release (four plus four) course during the first year of their apprenticeship. In this College second and third year apprentices attend on a day-release basis, one day a week for thirty five weeks each year. The final year of their apprenticeship is spent on the job.
The Department of Education Junior Trade Certificate examinations are taken at the end of the split block-release course and the Senior Trade Certificate examinations at the end of Year 3.
For Carpentry and Joinery apprentices recruited directly by employers or companies:
Carpentry and Joinery apprentices attend the College for one day a week for thirty five weeks per year for each of the four years.
The Department of Education Junior Trade examinations are taken at the end of the second year day-release course and the Senior Trade examinations at the end of the fourth year day-release course.
Career Outlets
Qualified tradespersons can be considered for diverse positions: chargehand, foreman, site foreman, general foreman, supervisor, senior supervisor, technicians and draughtspersons, service personnel etc. Opportunities exist in Ireland, Europe, and throughout the world. Many qualified tradespersons set up their own building firms, contracting companies, manufacturing companies and retail outlets.
Course Content
All Building Trades Apprentices take courses in the following:
Craft Calculations, Craft Science, Craft Theory, Site Theory, Site Safety, Technical Drawing, Workshop Practice, Industrial Studies.
Qualification
Apprentices who pass all obligatory Trade examinations at Junior and Senior levels are awarded the National Craft Certificate which is recognised internationally.
Opportunities for Further Study
Students with academic ability, motivation and ambition can further their education by private study, taking night classes or correspondence courses, or attending Certificate, Diploma or Engineering Degree courses at RTCs through ACCS.
Teacher training courses are also available to those with appropriate qualifications, and training instructor and trade teacher positions are available in industry, in companies, and in state bodies for those with the requisite qualifications.
Further Information
Pat Ainsworth