Almost 1,900 people applied for just 13 positions as apprentice electricians, diesel mechanics, fitters and welders with Iarnród Éireann.

The new apprentices are the first taken on by the company in 20 years.

Slightly more than 1,400 applicants went on to complete aptitude tests. Only 93 candidates passed the tests and 66 were then called for interview.

The apprentices will undertake a four-year training and education course in conjunction with Solas.

Job offers

Those who successfully completed the course would be offered jobs with Iarnród Éireann, chief executive David Franks said.

“Bringing new people into any organisation is its lifeblood and is essential for the future of our railway. Many apprentices who started here in Inchicore went on to occupy senior roles within this organisation.”

The aptitude tests, which dramatically reduced the number of candidates considered for the positions, were “very rigorous”, Mr Franks said.

“We set the bar quite high to make sure we got the right people, so, subject to their doing a good job during their apprenticeship, they will have a future with the company.”

In the current staff of 3,700 only 40 people were under the age of 30, Mr Franks said. The company hoped to continue the apprenticeship programme on an annual basis, he said.

Female applicants

He also hopes future phases of the programme would attract more female applicants. Just nine out of the 1,863 applicants were women, four of whom made it through the aptitude test. One, Olivia Harte from Firhouse, Dublin, has taken up one of the 13 positions as an apprentice electrician.

“I would always have been interested in fixing things and seeing how things worked, but I went to an all-girls’ school and it wasn’t anything you’d be pushed towards.”

Getting a trade

Ms Harte worked in a bank for several years before travelling in Australia where she started working on construction sites as a cleaner and as a labourer.

“I really enjoyed it and I knew I wanted to get a trade,” Ms Harte said.

The apprentices will be paid about €200 a week during their on-the-job training, with about €300,000 a year being invested by Iarnród Éireann in the apprenticeship programme.

The off-the job education phase of the apprenticeship is being funded by Solas.