Suir Engineering, one of Ireland’s largest engineering services providers, has announced the creation of 200 jobs and the launch of a pioneering Apprentice Centre of Excellence, which will support the state’s SOLAS training programmes. The apprenticeship jobs, all of which will result in permanent positions with Suir Engineering1 are in the areas of electrical and electrical and instrumentation.
The 200 jobs, which are being phased in over the next 12 months, will bring the total headcount at Suir Engineering to 1,600. There are opportunities to work in Ireland and/or the company’s other hubs in the UK, Germany, Sweden, and Denmark.
Chief Operating Officer Brendan Moley says that the positions are part of the company’s direct employment talent pipeline. “As we grow our European footprint, the need to develop our highly skilled workforce grows too,” said Moley. “Apprentices are the lifeblood of our industry, and at any one time, we could have up to 400 apprentices in the business. And interestingly, not all of us are joining straight out of school. Men and women in their 30s and 40s are upskilling and they see Suir Engineering as a strong option for a career change and have made the decision to go back to the classroom.
“We want to debunk the notion that university is the default option for people looking for a successful career. There are many other options and an apprenticeship offers fantastic opportunities.”
Practical learning
Brendan Moley also announced details of a first-of-its-kind Apprentice Centre of Excellence at Suir Engineering’s City West location in Dublin, with ancillary training provided at the company’s Irish headquarters in Waterford. The centre comprises a mix of practical workstation and classroom learning with a dedicated trainer and mentor to support apprentices over their four years of training.
“Employees will undergo different levels of training and ongoing assessment over the course of their apprenticeship, raising the bar even further for trade professionals in the engineering sector in Ireland,” said Brendan Moley.
Apprentice Cillian Kelly from Kildare with Brendan Moley COO, Suir Engineering, Citywest, Dublin. Pic: Paul Sherwood Photographer.
“Traditionally, any apprentice’s first day on the job is on a site without any prior training or learning to get them site ready. At Suir Engineering, we are transforming that process. With our new Centre of Excellence, we will ensure that every new apprentice will undergo training before joining our qualified professionals onsite to ensure they are site-ready. And that specialist training will continue throughout their four years until they are fully qualified. They will each spend a week in the centre before they progress to college for Phases 2, 4, and 6 of their apprenticeship”
Marking 40 years
Operating in the areas of pharma, energy & utilities, food & beverage, and data centres, Suir Engineering was founded in 1984. Marking 40 years in business this year, Suir Engineering has offices in Waterford, Dublin, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and the UK. The company reported a turnover of €429 million for 2023, representing a strong performance of 41% year-over-year growth. www.suireng.ie
Separately the company has also announced the acquisition of Taylor & Fraser, a leading mechanical & electrical engineering business operating in Scotland for more than 100 years.
The news follows the recent launch of Suir Engineering’s first UK offices in London and Manchester as it expands its operations, and customer base, in the UK market.
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