GMIT creates new Department of Engineering Apprenticeships

Friday, April 30, 2021 Press Office
Press Release

James Boyle appointed new Head of Department as institute expands suite of courses

In response to growing demand and in line with the Government’s recently launched “Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021 – 2025”, GMIT has created a new Department of Engineering Apprenticeships and has appointed James Boyle as the new Head of Department.

James Boyle is an alumnus of Queen’s University Belfast, CIT (now MTU) and GMIT.  He worked in the electrical industry for 11 years before entering academia in 2016, joining GMIT in 2019. He is currently in the final stage of his PhD research in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in Queen’s University Belfast. His research focuses on the integration of renewable energy into the electrical power system. His research is published in academic journals and international conferences. His most recent Renewable Energy publication won the Queen’s University Belfast EEECS Paper Award.

GMIT has been delivering apprenticeship courses in Electrical and Motor Mechanics since the institute’s establishment almost 50 years ago. The institute has invested significantly in its electrical workshop and laboratory facilities to cater for increased numbers on the electrical apprenticeship course from September this year (2021), becoming one of the largest providers of electrical apprenticeship courses in the country. 

Commenting on his appointment, James Boyle says: “I’m delighted to be appointed Head of Department of Engineering Apprenticeships. The creation of this new department reflects GMIT’s commitment to apprenticeship education and Ministers Harris and Collins’ action plan for apprenticeship.”

“Apprenticeships are a great way for students to learn by doing. The practical, skills-based learning approach of apprentice education means that graduates are ready for the workplace when they qualify in their disciplines. This is not only good for students, but also for employers.”

Head of the GMIT School of Engineering Professor Graham Heaslip, welcoming the recent launch of the new “Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025” by Ministers Harris and Collins, says: “The action plan is a momentous transformation in how apprenticeships will be delivered in Ireland, it is ambitious and commits to increasing the number of new apprentice registrations. We believe that learning by apprenticeship mode is a three-way win – for the learners, for companies and also for us in GMIT.”

“GMIT has a long and very proud tradition of delivering craft apprenticeship education and training and has been to the fore in delivering consortia-led degree apprenticeships. In recent years, the institute added apprenticeships in Manufacturing Engineering to the Engineering School curricula, and plans are underway to offer Wood Manufacturing & Finishing apprentice courses at GMIT’s National Centre for Excellence in Furniture Design and Technology in Letterfrack from September 2021”.

For further information, please visit: https://www.gmit.ie/engineering/department-engineering-apprenticeships

ENDS

Issued by Regina Daly, GMIT Communications & Press Officer, GMIT, Dublin Road, Galway.
0879618355 (m) regina.daly@gmit.ie   www.gmit.ie/news
 

Galway-Mayo IT, IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT working together to become a TU for the West and North-West of Ireland www.cualliance.ie