The Office of Public Works has a long and proud history of delivering Craft Apprenticeship programmes across a number of disciplines. Our Apprentices are an integral part of our workforce and are key to the maintenance of National Monuments in State care. The traditional skills and experience gained by our
Craft Apprentices over the four year programme preserves generations of knowledge for the future.
Since 2023 we have introduced new apprenticeship programmes such as Civil Engineering Technician, Arborist and Digital Marketing and Media, these are consortia led apprenticeships
that are delivered on average over a period of two years. Read about some of our current apprentices and their experiences.
Painter and Decorator Apprentice Jason Fay
Apprentice of the Year finalist
“My life in the OPW began in August 2023. I always wanted to be a painter from a young age. I come from a painting family. My great-grandfather, grandfather, and all their brothers were all in the trade. My father and uncle also frequently went on jobs
with my grandfather but never took to the trade fully.
As soon as I finished my Leaving Cert, I began working for a contractor, after a year they said I should apply to The Office of Public Works, as they were looking for apprentice painters.
For my first job with the OPW, I was sent to Royal Hospital Kilmainham. There, myself and one of the other painters began prepping and painting all the bollards and lampposts throughout. We later tackled the gates too.
After that I was sent to Dublin Castle, where I and two others were doing a job in what is known as “the bedrooms”.
I frequently spend time in Collins Barracks. This is where the workshops are for painting and joinery. In the workshop we bring in various pieces from raw up to a finish. The most common being sash windows.
We strip them, send them to be repaired, reglazed then they’re brought back to us to bring them up to a finish.
When I was not in the workshop, I did various jobs in a number of different buildings including; Áras an Uachtaráin, Farmleigh, Leinster House, Iveagh House, Custom House and the Four Courts.
In the OPW we get a great education from high quality tradesmen. They are carrying on the wealth of experience in restoring and maintaining these buildings along with their wealth of knowledge of the trade… Which I am very grateful for.
Since my time began in the OPW, I’ve been sent to my Phase 2 and Phase 4 of my apprenticeship. There we do off-the job training, first in Ballyfermot, then in Bolton Street.
There we learn more intricate skills of the trade – the more decorative side, as well as the theory side too. Solas and the OPW has brought me a lot of great experiences and opportunities such as; Speaking at the ‘World Skills Ireland 2025 Event’ and going over to Slovenia to represent Ireland in the Humanitarian
Painting Project 2025.
At the time of writing this I am in Dublin Castle where we are getting George’s Hall ready for the presidential inauguration. While being on the this job, I have filled and caulked all the mouldings on the wall and am now sanding them all down ready for the finish coats and some counter filling if needed.”
I am very grateful to be in the position I am in the OPW as it’s a great opportunity, especially as a young person. I am excited for the future and where it will bring me.”
Architectural Stonemasonry Apprentice Luca Howard
World Skills Ireland Winner
“I am currently doing the Stone Carving and Stonemasonry Apprenticeship in Tralee.
We are currently a year and a half into the course, and in phase 4.
I’ve always had an interest in heritage buildings. Before the apprenticeship, I went labouring with stonemasons in Cork and Galway, who were preserving private houses and stone buildings. But I always had the idea that I wanted to get into the carving side of the trade. The Office of Public Works cares for the most significant heritage sites in the country so, I thought I should probably try and work with them.
In the college phases, we are taught carving, cutting, and cladding. We make large pieces as a group but are also encouraged to work on individual projects. At my depot we cover Galway, Clare, Roscommon, parts of Mayo and Limerick. Recently I was lucky enough to work on a large stone window in Roscommon Castle.
In September, we went to the World Skills competition in the RDS Dublin and five of us competed over three days to make
a bird bath with oak tree motifs. It was fantastic to see all the other trades, some of which I had never heard of before.
Starting this apprenticeship was the best choice I’ve made, I can’t recommend it enough. I think it would best suit someone who enjoys working with their hands and has patience for the work.
With practice you won’t need patience, as the work itself becomes enjoyable.”
Painter and Decorator Apprentice Karl Ellis
Apprentice of the Year finalist
“I am a third year apprentice painter and decorator employed by the Office of Public Works, Building Maintenance Section. The reason I became an apprentice, at a later stage in life, is because I have a young family. I knew if I had a career with a qualification my family’s future would be a lot more stable.
When I saw that the OPW were hiring apprentices I felt an opportunity like this could not be missed. The OPW is a multidisciplinary government organisation with a workforce of
highly skilled and trained people. We deliver projects through conservation, restoration and maintenance. There are great benefits to working here. Since starting my career, I’ve worked in
some of the most prestigious buildings in Ireland from Dáil Éireann, The Department of the Taoiseach, Dublin Castle, Farmleigh House and Áras an Uachtaráin. I am learning the trade from a great team who have knowledge and skill maintaining and restoring historical buildings, some of which are 300 years old using very old techniques.
There are many benefits of being qualified as a tradesman. I could work anywhere in the world; Ireland Australia, America, Tokyo and Abu Dhabi. My qualification would be recognised in
many countries. There is a great future for those holding trade qualifications as trade people will always be needed. Since I have started my apprenticeship, I have never looked back because when I am fully qualified the endless opportunities that await me are only possible because of my trade.”
Architectural Stonemason Apprentice Megan Pepper
World Skills Ireland competitor
“I am currently doing an Architectural Stonemason’s Apprenticeship (Stonecutting Apprenticeship). I’m in my
second year of my apprenticeship and I’m in Phase 4.
I decided to do my apprenticeship with the Office of Public Works because I’ve always wanted to work with older buildings and when I saw the ads for the apprenticeship I jumped at it.
Some of the places I’ve worked with the OPW include the boundary wall at the The Hill of Tara. Currently, I’m working
on the repointing of the Kells Round Tower. I have also been working on the cap stones there, shaping them for the top of the tower.
This year, I took part in the World Skills competition. It is specifically for apprentices to showcase their trade and skills. It was an amazing opportunity to be a part of it and it’s great for students to come and experience it.
The advice I would give anyone thinking of starting an apprenticeship with the OPW is do it! If you don’t try you won’t
know. Even if you think you won’t suit it’s still an opportunity and an experience you’ll never regret taking.”
The OPW currently employ 41 apprentices across 13 apprenticeship programmes.
Our recruitment campaigns can be run at any time of the year but are mostly concentrated in the first quarter to coincide with Apprenticeship Fairs we attend around the country, promoting our programmes.
All our apprenticeship opportunities are advertised on the OPW website (www.opw.ie) where candidates can access the Recruitment Competition Information Booklet and download an application form. Interested candidates can also register with www.publicjobs.ie where they can request to be notified of any
competitions. We would also encourage interested candidates to follow us on social media where all our opportunities are advertised.’’
