Toolmaking Apprenticeship

A Toolmaking apprenticeship trains you to design, manufacture and maintain the precision tools, moulds, dies and jigs used in industries such as med-tech, plastics and general manufacturing. You develop skills in manual machining, CNC programming and operation, grinding, fitting and assembly, as well as metrology — the science of precision measurement. Your week alternates between on-the-job training with your employer and scheduled off-the-job phases at an Education and Training Board (ETB) training centre or Institute of Technology. You work with tight tolerances measured in micrometres, learning to read engineering drawings and use CAD/CAM software. Ireland's strong med-tech sector — home to companies such as Boston Scientific, Cook Medical and Abbott — means demand for toolmakers with medical-grade precision skills is particularly high.

Entry is through an employer who registers you as an apprentice with SOLAS via apprenticeship.ie; you must be at least 16 years of age and have left full-time second-level education. Most employers expect a Leaving Certificate (or equivalent), with passes in Maths, Engineering or Technical Graphics being a strong advantage; Higher-level Maths is not always required but demonstrates the numerical aptitude needed for precision work. A Junior Cycle or Leaving Certificate with grades in technical subjects (e.g. Engineering, Materials Technology, Applied Mathematics) will strengthen your application considerably. Some employers accept QQI Level 5 or 6 FET awards in Engineering or Manufacturing as an alternative entry pathway. There is no CAO application involved — you apply directly to an approved employer, who then registers the apprenticeship with SOLAS. Mature applicants (21+) and those with relevant trade or manufacturing experience are considered on a case-by-case basis by individual employers.

Ireland's med-tech industry is one of the largest in Europe, and demand for skilled toolmakers consistently outstrips supply, making employment prospects very strong for qualified apprentices. Graduates typically move into permanent roles with their apprenticeship employer or can readily find work across the sector. Salaries for newly qualified toolmakers generally range from approximately €35,000 to €45,000 gross per year, rising to €55,000 or more for experienced or lead toolmakers. The reshoring of precision manufacturing and continued growth in medical devices and pharmaceutical packaging further support long-term job security in this trade.