Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting Apprenticeship

The Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting (MAMF) apprenticeship trains you to install, maintain, and repair industrial machinery and automated systems across sectors such as pharmaceutical manufacturing and food production. You develop practical skills in hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical control systems, mechanical fitting, and fault diagnostics. Your week is split between on-the-job learning with your employer and off-the-job training at a designated training centre or Institute of Technology. You work alongside experienced engineers and technicians, getting hands-on experience with conveyors, packaging lines, pumps, and process equipment. By the end of your apprenticeship you will be competent in planned preventative maintenance and breakdown response in a live industrial environment.

Entry to this apprenticeship requires you to be employed by an approved employer registered with SOLAS through the apprenticeship.ie portal. Most employers expect you to have completed the Leaving Certificate, with passes in Maths, English or Irish, and a science or technology subject being advantageous. Some employers accept candidates with a QQI Level 5 award in Engineering or a related trade qualification in lieu of Leaving Cert results. There is no CAO application for this route; you secure your place by finding a registered employer willing to take you on as an apprentice. Mature applicants aged 18 or over are eligible and prior relevant work experience in a manufacturing or engineering setting is valued by many employers.

Demand for qualified maintenance fitters is consistently high in Ireland due to the large concentration of multinational pharmaceutical and food processing plants. Employers frequently report difficulty filling these roles, meaning apprenticeship graduates can expect strong job security and competitive wages. Gross annual salaries for qualified technicians typically range from around €38,000 to €55,000, with shift allowances and overtime common in 24/7 production environments. Experienced technicians moving into senior or supervisory roles can earn considerably more.