Eircom, a main provider of telecommunications services in Ireland is to create 375 jobs over the next five years as part of the biggest large-scale recruitment programme the company has had in almost 30 years.

The telecoms group announced a new EUR 18 million apprenticeship and graduate programme that will see it taking on 75 people a year.

This initiative builds on success of a pilot apprenticeship programme that ran in 2011. Of the 75 apprentices who entered that programme, 55 remain in full-time positions with the company.

Apprenticeship programme
The group’s apprenticeship programme, which is open to candidates who have passed final school exams, will see 60 apprentices per year recruited over the next five years. This year’s programme, which will provide on-the-job learning, one-to-one coaching and formal classroom training, will commence in September 2015 and run for two years.

Eircom said successful applicants will have an opportunity to work as customer-service and assurance technicians on maintenance and repair of equipment in its network. Successful applicants will also receive a level 6 (EQF level 5) telecommunications access networks technology major award and top performers will be offered full-time roles with the company.

Graduate programme
The company’s new graduate programme will recruit 15 honours graduates (EQF level 6) with finance qualifications per year who will be divided into Eircom’s general graduate programme and its specialised finance graduate programme.

Successful applicants will have an opportunity to work on up to four different rotations, each supported by a mentor. Graduates with finance qualifications will remain within the finance service area and work on multiple projects, while being supported in their studies towards an accounting qualification.

‘We are the only company in the telecommunications sector investing in people at scale, providing excellent sustainable employment. This is a key element in the ongoing transformation of the group, and one we feel passionately about. These programmes are an integral part of our growth strategy,’ said Eircom’s chief executive Richard Moat.

More information:

  • Original article by Charlie Taylor, 2015 irishtimes.com adapted by SLMRU (SOLAS)) for Cedefop

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