NEWS
Newcourse to combat national shortage of electrical repair technicians
Ireland is set to train a new generation of repair technicians to prevent thousands of tonnes of electrical appliances going to waste. An industry-wide drive to extend the lives of fixable white goods has been fast-tracked to combat a major shortage of electrical repair experts – whose average age is now 59. The new ‘Circular Economy Skills Initiative’ course aims to produce enough experts to cap
Declan McElwaine of Electrical Appliance Services in Donegal, with the key partners supporting an industry-wide drive to combat a major shortage of electrical repair experts.
electrical goods in circulation for longer. However, we must go further in encouraging circular activity by including the repair and reuse of electrical products in the EU takeback target and not solely end-of-life recycling targets.” The Circular Economy Skills Initiative course is free of charge and those interested in participating can apply at: https://fit.ie/circular-economy-skills- initiative/. Full driving licence is required by the completion of training.
the-art centre in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. Up to 20 trainees will complete the initial pilot 26-week programme, followed by 12 weeks’ guaranteed work placement with leading white goods industry supporters of the programme. “This new course is a fantastic solution to some of the circular economy challenges WEEE Ireland members face,” said WEEE Ireland CEO, Leo Donovan. “It helps address a skill that is vital to ensuring we can keep householders’
ensure thousands of washing machines, fridges and dishwashers are given a new lease of life in homes and businesses across the country. WEEE Ireland, the White Goods Association and technical training agency FIT (Fast Track to IT) joined forces to create the innovative curriculum and career pathway. The free training course will be run with the support of Louth Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) in a state-of-
Nittan sponsors ‘Fire EngineeringApprentice of theYear’ for five years
Following its inaugural sponsorship of South Eastern Regional College’s (SERC) Fire Engineering Apprentice of the Year award in 2020, fire detection manufacturer Nittan Europe has announced its continued support of the award across five years. As part of the sponsorship, Nittan has supplied a trophy and a prize, plus donated over 80 fire alarm products for students to train on. This year’s Fire Engineering Apprentice of the Year was Megan Davidson, who was presented with the trophy alongside 2020’s winner Adam Smylie who was unable to collect his award last year due to Covid restrictions. Stuart Rankin, Deputy Head of School
for Construction, Engineering Services and Skills for Work at SERC, said, “They are excellent apprentices within the college and a real asset to their employers. Both were very deserving of the award”. He added,
Megan Davidson and Adam Smylie, Fire Engineering Apprentice of the Year 2021 and 2020, respectively.
“On behalf of the college I would like to send my thanks to Nittan for support and arranging the ‘Nittan Shield’.” Nittan’s Regional Sales Manager (North), Steve McCarley, said, “Now more than ever, we need to ensure young people have the training resources they need to be able to learn and develop their skills.
The fire industry represents a good career choice, with engineers always in demand. We value the work being done by SERC, and by our Elite Partner installers such as Solutions for Systems who take the time
to support these apprentices.” For more information, go to www.nittan.co.uk
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