Courses
Admissions & Support
Road Surface Technology Apprenticeship
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Location: Athlone
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years: 2
Overview
The Road Surface Technology Apprenticeship is a two-year ‘earn and learn’ programme developed in collaboration with industry to meet the growing demand for skilled operatives in the road construction and motorway maintenance sector. The programme is coordinated by the Technological University of the Shannon and leads to the award of Higher Certificate, Level 6 qualification.
The programme is designed for individuals seeking to begin or develop a career in road surfacing and motorway maintenance, working as part of a team responsible for constructing, repairing and maintaining road infrastructure. Apprentices develop the knowledge, skills and practical experience required to lay and compact asphalt surfaces, apply surface dressing treatments, operate specialist plant and machinery, and ensure that work is completed to industry specifications and safety standards.
Apprentices spend the majority of their time in paid, on-the-job training with an approved employer, supported by structured academic learning delivered by TUS. Academic delivery includes periods of full time on-campus learning combined with applied training that supports the development of practical skills and professional competencies required in the industry.
Graduates may progress to further study at Level 7 or advance into roles in road surfacing operations, highways maintenance, civil engineering support and road infrastructure projects across the construction and transportation sectors.
Contact Details
TUS Road Surface Technology Apprenticeship Office
Email: rst.midlands@tus.ie
TUS Apprenticeship Office
Email: Apprenticeships@tus.ie
Entry Requirements
Applicants must meet the entry requirements as follows:
- Applicants must be employed by an approved employer participating in the programme.
AND
- Hold a minimum of 5 subjects (Grade O6 / H7 or higher) in the Leaving Certificate, or an equivalent qualification.
OR
- Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements may be considered through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, in accordance with the University’s approved RPL policies and procedures. RPL applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
OR
- Transfers into Stage 1 of the programme will be considered from other approved engineering or construction-related programmes at a comparable level. Applicants seeking to transfer must meet the programme’s employment requirements, i.e. they must be employed by an approved employer participating in the programme.
For further queries on Entry Requirements, please contact us.
Programme Structure and Modules
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On-the-job training with Employer
Introduction to road surfacing operations, site setup, plant awareness, compaction processes, service identification, temporary traffic management awareness, and safe working practices under the supervision of an approved mentor.
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Off-the-job learning at TUS
Materials & Testing, Health & Safety, Production, Plant, Equipment & Operations, Pavement Asset Management & Maintenance, Geometric Alignment, Applied Numeracy, Scholarship, Teamwork & Communication.
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On-the-job training with employer
Structured workplace learning on live road surfacing projects including surfacing operations, excavation and reinstatement, plant operation awareness, safety management and temporary traffic management.
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Off-the-job learning at TUS
Advanced Materials & Testing, Health & Safety, Production, Plant, Equipment & Operations, Workmanship in Pavement Construction and Protocols, Geometric Alignment, Civil Engineering: Applied Numeracy, Thermal and Wave Principles, Scholarship, Teamwork & Communication.
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On-the-job training with employer
Advanced structured workplace learning focused on applying technical knowledge, safe working practices and operational competence in road surfacing operations.
Applicant Information
An apprenticeship is a programme of structured education and training which formally combines and alternates learning in the workplace with learning in a university, third-level education institution, or training Centre. It is a dual system, blending on-the-job, employer-based learning with off-the-job academic study. Apprentices are paid employees for the duration of the programme and gain nationally recognised qualifications.
Professionals working in road surfacing and maintenance operate across a range of sectors including civil engineering, infrastructure delivery, road construction contractors and local authorities.
They work as part of a road surfacing team to construct, repair and maintain road surfaces. The work involves laying and compacting asphalt materials, applying surface dressing treatments and supporting the safe operation of specialised plant and equipment used in road construction and maintenance.
Typical activities include preparing worksites, supporting excavation and reinstatement of road surfaces, identifying underground services, working within temporary traffic management systems and ensuring works are carried out safely and in accordance with relevant specifications and industry standards.
This two-year apprenticeship programme is delivered through a blended model combining on campus learning and structured workplace training. Apprentices undertake four off-the-job training blocks of six weeks each at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). These blocks include practical workshops, plant and equipment familiarisation, demonstrations and assessment activities that support the development of the technical knowledge and practical skills required for road surfacing operations.
Between campus blocks, apprentices return to their employer to continue structured on-the-job training on live road construction and maintenance projects. Workplace learning takes place under the guidance of an approved mentor within the employing organisation, providing apprentices with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills developed during their off-the-job training.
Evidence of workplace learning and competency development is recorded in a logbook as part of the apprenticeship training process. Apprentices are trained and assessed through a combination of workplace learning and academic assessment delivered by Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).
Two years
Applicants for the programme must be employed on an Apprenticeship contract of employment.
Applications to register an apprentice can only be submitted by a Registered Employer.
Details of current apprenticeship opportunities are advertised locally and nationally by many employers, and are often listed on the national apprenticeship jobs portal at: https://apprenticeship.ie/career-seekers/jobs
Your local Education and Training Board may hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice, visit: https://apprenticeship.ie/more/your-local-provider
Contact TUS Road Surface Technology Operative Apprenticeship Office.
Employer Information
An apprenticeship is a dual-system education model combining work-based learning with academic study, enabling participants to gain practical industry experience while earning a nationally recognised qualification.
This programme is primarily designed for:
- Individuals currently working in, or seeking a career in the road construction and maintenance sector.
- Individuals interested in working as part of a team involved in constructing, repairing and maintaining road surfaces.
- Individuals who wish to develop practical skills in road surfacing activities such as laying and compacting asphalt materials, supporting excavation and reinstatement works, and working safely with specialised plant and equipment.
It is suitable for those seeking to develop a career in the road construction and maintenance sector and to contribute to the delivery of safe, durable and high-quality road infrastructure.
For further information or queries relating to the entry requirements, please contact:
TUS Road Surface Technology Apprenticeship Office
Email: rst.midlands@tus.ie
As part of the national apprenticeship system, there are formal requirements for approval of an employer’s suitability to train apprentices and for registration of apprentices. SOLAS is responsible for delivering on these requirements.
Employers can directly register their interest in becoming an approved employer via the SOLAS Apprenticeship Online Portal: www.apprenticeshiponline.ie/#/employer/register.
Alternatively, please contact:
TUS Road Surface Technology Apprenticeship Office
Email: rst.midlands@tus.ie
Following submission of an Expression of Interest, a SOLAS Authorised Officer from the relevant Education and Training Board (ETB) will conduct a suitability assessment. This process is straightforward, typically involves a site visit, and is normally completed within 1–2 weeks.
To advertise apprenticeship vacancies for free, please visit: https://apprenticeship.ie/employers/current-employers
For the Road Surface Technology Apprenticeship, the employer must nominate a workplace mentor who will support the apprentice throughout their on-the-job training and development.
The mentor should be an experienced member of the organisation who can guide the apprentice in developing practical skills, understanding workplace procedures and completing the required workplace learning activities. The mentor will support the apprentice in recording evidence of their learning and progress through the structured logbook.
TUS is responsible for approving workplace mentors and providing guidance to ensure mentors understand their role in supporting apprentice development.
For further information please contact:
TUS Road Surface Technology Apprenticeship Office
Email: rst.midlands@tus.ie
Apprentices are supported by their Industry Mentor and Academic Supervisor throughout the programme.
They receive academic support during both on-the-job and off-the-job phases of the apprenticeship.
For all consortia-led apprenticeships, the employer is responsible for the wages/salary of the apprentice during the programme, including during the off-the-job stages in the University, third-level education institution or training centre. There is no specified training rate or salary level, that must be agreed between the Employer and their Apprentice.
The programme has fees that are payable by the apprentice and may be sponsored/subsidised by their Employer.
For information on fees, please contact:
TUS Road Surface Technology Apprenticeship Office
Email: rst.midlands@tus.ie
Information for Current Apprentices
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