Apprenticeship Programme Opens — And Why Trade Education Matters to KWS

Gas Networks Ireland has opened applications for its 2026 Apprenticeship Programme, which begins this October. It is welcome news, and it resonates directly with how we operate here at Kilkenny Welding Supplies.

We currently have three apprentices in Portlaoise. It reflects our belief that the future of Irish engineering depends on properly trained tradespeople, and that employers in this sector have a responsibility to invest in that pipeline.

What the Gas Networks Ireland 2026 programme offers

Gas Networks Ireland is recruiting apprentices across three trade disciplines:

• Plumbing.
• Electrical Instrumentation.
• Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting.

The programme runs for four years and combines on-the-job training with formal education. Successful candidates earn a QQI Advanced Level 6 Certificate in their specialist area, an internationally recognised craft qualification.

Apprentices will work on Ireland’s national gas network, a major infrastructure system that spans 14,758km and plays a significant role in the country’s energy supply.

Applications close at 17:00 on Tuesday, 5 May 2026. The programme is open through the company’s careers portal.

Why KWS Invests in Apprenticeships?

What happens in workshops, on construction sites, on farms, and in fabrication plants directly shapes what we stock, who we train, and how we grow.

Supplying premium brands like Fronius, Hypertherm, Telwin, Kemper, and BDS Machines depends on skilled tradespeople who know how to operate complex equipment correctly, safely, and productively.

This is why KWS currently has three apprentices actively training with us in Portlaoise, gaining hands-on experience in a supported environment. We are committed to providing the mentored, practical setting that makes a trade apprenticeship genuinely valuable.

This is also where our investment in tools like the Fronius Welducation Simulator is particularly relevant. Training technology at this level accelerates learning, the learner's development, reduces material waste during learning, and improves safety outcomes from day one.

What a Trade Apprenticeship in Welding and Engineering Actually Looks Like. 

For school leavers — and their parents — the apprenticeship route is sometimes misunderstood as a lesser alternative to a degree. The data and the careers tell a different story.

A qualified welder, pipefitter, or instrumentation technician in Ireland commands strong wages, consistent demand, and an internationally portable skill set. The advanced welding and fabrication sector is experiencing a documented skills shortage, not a surplus. Programmes like those run by Gas Networks Ireland, SOLAS, and employer-led initiatives are not filling a gap — they are trying to stay ahead of one.

The trades covered by the Gas Networks Ireland programme — plumbing, electrical instrumentation, and mechanical fitting — are directly adjacent to the welding and fabrication skills central to KWS's customer base. A gas network plumber works with the same pipework materials and joining methods as a fabrication shop. An instrumentation technician uses the same understanding of control systems as an industrial maintenance welder.

"A skilled tradesperson is not just our customer — they are the foundation of our entire industry. KWS has always understood that."

FAQ About Apprenticeships in the Engineering and Welding Sector

Who can apply for the Gas Networks Ireland 2026 Apprenticeship Programme?Applications are open to those who have completed or are completing their Leaving Certificate and meet the entry requirements for SOLAS-registered apprenticeships.

How long does a trade apprenticeship take in Ireland?Most craft apprenticeships in Ireland run for four years and combine on-the-job phases with off-the-job training through an education provider. The Gas Networks Ireland programme follows this model, with dedicated technical training support included.

Does KWS offer apprenticeships? Yes, from time to time. KWS currently employs three apprentices in Portlaoise. We are committed to supporting trades training within the welding and engineering distribution sector. If you are interested in exploring an apprenticeship with KWS, contact us directly through kws.ie.

What is the qualification awarded at the end of a trade apprenticeship?

Successful completion of a SOLAS-registered apprenticeship leads to a QQI Advanced Certificate Craft at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications. It is a recognised craft qualification and a strong foundation for long-term progression in the trade.

The trades need people. Irish industry needs the trades. This is not a pipeline problem that solves itself.

Gas Networks Ireland 2026 Apprenticeship — Key Details

• Disciplines: Plumbing, Electrical Instrumentation, Mechanical Automation & Maintenance Fitting
• Start date: October 2026
• Duration: Four years
• Qualification: QQI Advanced Level 6 Certificate
• Application deadline: 17:00, Tuesday 5 May 2026