Role Summary
Capital are delighted to participate in the introduction of the new Business and Operations Apprenticeship programme, in conjunction with SOLAS. This apprenticeship provides a unique opportunity to combine formal education with practical workplace experience in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
Throughout the programme, you will rotate through key business functions, gaining first-hand experience of how each department contributes to the success of the organisation. You will work alongside experienced colleagues, develop practical business and operational skills, and complete the academic requirements of the nationally recognised SOLAS Level 6 Business & Operations Apprenticeship. The role offers structured learning, mentoring and exposure to a broad range of business activities, providing an excellent foundation for a long-term career in business administration and operations. Further details on the SOLAS website:
https://apprenticeship.ie/career-seekers/get-started/next-steps/business/business-and-operations-l6
Company Profile
Capital Switchgear is a leading Low Voltage switchgear manufacturer, based in Rathcoole, Co Dublin. With over 50 years of expertise in switchgear design, manufacture, and installation, Capital prides itself on its high-quality, reliable products and a professional personal service tailored to each project. We are committed to supporting, developing, and empowering our employees throughout their journey with us.
Departmental Rotations
A key feature of the apprenticeship will be the planned rotations across the business. You will spend time working with various departments to gain practical experience, develop business knowledge and understand how each function supports the organisation's overall objectives. Rotations will be structured to support both the SOLAS apprenticeship curriculum and business needs and may vary in duration. Your learning experience will include:
Procurement:
- Key learnings: procurement processes and supply chain coordination.
- Assist with purchase order processing and supplier administration.
- Maintain purchasing records and documentation.
Stores:
- Key learnings: warehouse operations and inventory management processes.
- Support stock control and inventory administration.
- Assist with goods receipt, dispatch documentation and inventory records.
Projects and Engineering:
- Key learnings: how engineering projects are planned and delivered.
- Support Project Managers and Engineers with day-to-day administration.
- Assist with project planning, scheduling, documentation and performance tracking.
- Maintain projects and engineering records and databases.
Production:
- Key learnings: how manufacturing is coordinated to achieve efficiency and quality targets.
- Support operational administration and production planning.
- Assist with production reporting and workflow documentation.
QHSE & ESG:
- Key learnings: how quality management, health and safety processes and environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices are delivered in a manufacturing setting.
- Support in maintaining compliance documentation and record management.
- Assist with internal audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
Finance & Administration:
- Key learnings: basic finance processes and business reporting.
- Support general office administration.
- Assist with finance administration, record keeping and document management.
HR:
- Key learning: HR processes, employee lifecycle activities and GDPR requirements.
- Support recruitment, onboarding and employee administration.
- Assist with training records and HR documentation.
Key Responsibilities
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will progressively develop the knowledge and skills to:
- Support the effective delivery of day-to-day business operations across a range of functions.
- Assist with coordinating operational activities to improve efficiency, consistency and performance.
- Contribute to business projects by monitoring progress, maintaining schedules, updating documentation and preparing information for reporting and decision-making.
- Support managers by producing accurate administrative records, reports and business information.
- Maintain organised and accurate data using systems incl. MS Office and Smartsheets.
- Communicate professionally with colleagues, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders through written correspondence, telephone and face-to-face interactions.
- Handle confidential information securely, in line with company policies and GDPR requirements.
- Support effective communication and collaboration, and build strong working relationships.
- Develop an understanding of business processes, continuous improvement and customer service within a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrate professionalism, reliability and a commitment to learning during the apprenticeship.
- Complete all requirements of the SOLAS Business & Administration Apprenticeship programme.
- Attend all off-the-job learning and successfully complete academic assignments and assessments.
- Take an active role in each departmental rotation.
- Be curious, interested and willing to learn, so that you can assist with continual improvement.
- Build positive working relationships across all business functions.
- Work collaboratively as part of a team while also taking responsibility for individual tasks.
- Comply with all company policies and procedures.
- Adhere to all Quality, Health & Safety and Environmental requirements.
- Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
- Undertake additional duties appropriate to the apprenticeship and stage of learning.
SOLAS Eligibility Requirements
- Be eligible to register on the SOLAS Level 6 Business & Administration Apprenticeship.
- Have successfully completed secondary (high) school and achieved a qualification equivalent to an Irish QQI Level 4 Full Award, or hold a higher qualification.
- If qualifications were obtained outside Ireland, they must be recognised as equivalent to the Irish entry requirement.
- If English is not your first language, evidence of English proficiency equivalent to CEFR Level B2.
- Be legally entitled to work in Ireland.
- Applicants aged 21+ who do not meet the minimum educational requirement may be considered through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, subject to SOLAS review and approval.
Source: https://apprenticeship.ie/career-seekers/get-started/next-steps/business/business-and-operations-l6
Person Specification
- Enthusiastic, motivated and eager to learn.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Can work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
- Reliable, professional and committed to delivering high-quality work.
- An interest in business administration, manufacturing and continuous improvement.
Desirable:
- Previous administrative, customer service or office experience (including part-time, summer or voluntary work) would be beneficial.
- An interest in engineering, manufacturing or business operations would be an advantage.
Other details
- On-the-job duties based primarily on site in our office in Rathcoole, Co Dublin
- Off-the-job learning to take place at the designated SOLAS training location (Dublin based).
- Salary €30-32k, depending on experience & interview.
- EAP, Bike to work scheme. regular social activities, free parking.
As an equal opportunities’ employer, we are committed to treating our employees equally in relation to age, civil status, disability, ethnicity and race, family status, gender, membership of the Traveller community, religion, and sexual orientation. We treat our employees equally in recruitment, pay, conditions, training, work experience and career progression.
Pay: €30,000.00-€32,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Bike to work scheme
- Company events
- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Rathcoole, County Dublin: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Have you read and do you meet the SOLAS eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship?
Work Location: In person
