From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donovan today welcomed the launch of the first ever Civil Service Digital Marketing apprenticeships.
An application process to recruit digital marketing apprentices to government departments and their agencies opened on publicjobs last week.
Speaking at WorldSkills Ireland 2024 today, Minister O’Donovan encouraged anyone interested in a career in government communications to consider applying.
Minister O’Donovan said:
"We are constantly encouraging private enterprise to take on apprentices, but as the country’s largest employer, it is up to us in the public and civil service to play our part as well.
"An apprenticeship in the civil service is an incredible opportunity to earn while you learn and gain valuable experience working within a department or agency.
"I am also delighted to announce that once the apprenticeship is complete, the candidate will be able to apply for an Executive Officer role and have the chance to progress their career from there.
"I want to thank colleagues in other departments for agreeing to get involved with this recruitment campaign once my own department had put the plans in place.
"We are not finished yet, however, and I remain determined to continue opening up more opportunities for apprenticeships in Government."
The Civil Service Digital Marketing Apprenticeship opened for applications on 20 September and will close on 3 October.
It is a full-time programme that combines work-based learning with a formal training programme coordinated by Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB.
An apprenticeship is a full-time programme that combines work-based learning with a formal training programme. Throughout the apprenticeship, the apprentice will work as a full-time member of staff with the government employer, who will release them to attend the structured training programme with the training provider – the earn-as-you-learn approach.
This means that they will be employed, on a full-time basis, by a Civil Service organisation for the 2-year programme, offering an opportunity to develop a career in digital marketing in some of the largest organisations in the state.
Those who successfully achieve all programme elements will attain a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Digital Marketing (QQI Advanced Certificate Award placed at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications).
For this 2-year programme, the apprentice will be recruited into a Civil Service organisation based in the greater Dublin area. The training partner for the programme is the MSL Education and Training Board and all classroom activities will be held in Dublin.
The apprentice will undertake 12 modules of learning over two years, studying topics like Content Marketing and Generative AI; Digital Marketing, Tools and Tactics; and Social Media Marketing.
Apprenticeship starting salary: €27,033
Executive Officer Salary Scale as of 24 September 2024:
€36,044 - €37,965 - €39,050 – €41,167 - €43,064 - €44,900 - €46,729 - €48,519 -€50,328 - €52,097 - €53,974 - €55,232 - €57,026* - €58,834*