Combilift and CMETB Celebrate 10 Years of Pioneering Engineering Traineeship

2025-05-12 -

This week saw a landmark celebration at Combilift?s global headquarters in Monaghan, marking the 10th anniversary of the highly successful OEM Engineering Traineeship?a collaborative initiative between Combilift and the Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB). The event, which welcomed past graduates, current trainees and local educators, underscored the programme?s evolution from a local skills initiative to a cornerstone of regional industrial development.

Launched in 2015, the OEM Engineering Traineeship was born from a shared vision to tackle the skills gap in engineering and manufacturing with an industry-led approach. Today, with over 150 trainees having passed through its doors to achieve a QQI level 5 qualification, and with job placement rates above 80%, the programme stands as a model for how industry and education can collaborate to mutual benefit.

Combilift, a global leader in materials handling solutions, has been central to this success. As the primary industry partner, Combilift has not only provided cutting-edge workplace experience but also ensured the course content remains aligned with real world demands. We wanted to create more than just a training programme,we wanted to build a pathway into meaningful careers, said Combilift Managing Director, Martin McVicar. This traineeship has delivered exactly that, time and time again.

The nine-month programme blends 26 weeks of classroom-based learning at Monaghan Institute with 12 weeks of hands-on work experience in Combilift. Over the years, the course content has evolved to reflect changes in the manufacturing landscape, now including modules in Hydraulics, Lean Manufacturing, and, more recently, Mathematics to prepare students for greater work or educational opportunities.

CMETB has played a vital role in coordinating and delivering the educational aspect of the programme. Their ongoing commitment to adapting the curriculum, securing government funding, and expanding the scheme to include other regional employers from 2025 reflects their strategic approach to workforce development. It?s about staying ahead of the curve, said Sinead McKenna of CMETB. We?ve created a flexible, forward-looking course that equips learners with in-demand skills and supports local industry at the same time.

One of the most compelling aspects of the programme is its accessibility. Fully funded through government and EU support, it removes financial barriers for participants and trainees are offered a ?300 bursary per week during practical placements within Combilift. Trainees also benefit from additional qualifications, including City & Guilds module in Hydraulics and a Lean Six Sigma White Belt.

The 10-year milestone was marked not only by reflection but by ambition for the future. Attendees at the celebration event heard first-hand from past graduates who have gone on to build thriving careers many still with Combilift, some even progressing to degree-level study or engineering apprenticeships.

With enrolment now open for the September 2025 intake, both Combilift and CMETB are doubling down on their commitment to the next generation. As Martin McVicar put it, The demand for talent in this sector is only growing, and we?re proud to continue building that talent right here in Monaghan.

IT MAY INTEREST YOU

Specialists from 10 provinces develop forest landscape restoration strategies throughout the country

The program is developed by researchers from INTA, Conicet and the Argentine Wildlife Foundation.

Read news »

They promote research in pine resins from the NEA

The forestry industry is one of the most important sectors in the economies of Misiones and Corrientes. Thousands of hectares of pine supply the paper, pulp, boards and sawmill industry. Pinus elliottii, one of the species established in the region, in addition to providing wood, is used to produce resin, a non-wood forest product with high demand in the chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In 2\024, resin extraction of approximately 52,6\0\0 tons was achieved from approximately 18,\0\0\0,\0\0\0 trees in production, generating income and jobs with high expansion potential.

Read news »

Missions | New illegal felling in the Piñalito Provincial Park in San Pedro reveals the silent expansion of deforestation in protected areas

The advance of deforestation on protected areas was once again evident this week in the Piñalito Sur Provincial Park, in San Pedro, where the Ministry of Ecology and Renewable Natural Resources confirmed a new case of selective illegal logging. The event occurs in a context of growing concern about the fragility of the environmental control system in rural and border areas, where the scarcity of resources, personnel and logistics limits the capacity of surveillance against criminal organizations organized to steal native woods and market them on the black market in connivance with sawmill owners.

Read news »