Candidates that achieve the plumbing apprenticeship will have achieved a nationally recognised standard in the installation and maintenance of oil-fired boilers, and will be able to use their National Craft Certificate to apply for OFTEC registration in the Republic of Ireland.
Established in 2013 under the Further Education and Training Act, SOLAS is an agency of the Department of Education and Skills. As well as managing the National Apprenticeship system, its functions include managing, co-ordinating and supporting the delivery of FET by the Education and Training Boards.
Completion of the National Craft Certificate will enable OFTEC registration for up to five years from the date of completion. After which time registrants, can undergo re-assessment at any OFTEC approved assessment centre of their choice.
Niall Elmes, development officer for SOLAS said: “We recognise the OFTEC standard and the credibility that goes with it. It was a natural progression for our course to adopt the OFTEC oil assessments into our programme.”
David Blevings, added: “With over 750,000 homes in Ireland using oil-fuelled appliances for heating, this will help to ensure that there are sufficient qualified and experienced technicians to install and maintain these appliances well into the future.”
