News & Insights
James Donohoe: ‘Apprenticeship with Mercury was best career decision of my life’
James Donohoe, a fourth-year electrical apprentice based on a pharma project in Dublin, Ireland, explains why he chose an apprenticeship with Mercury.
Tell us about your career to date
“I’m 31-years-old and currently in the final year of my electrical apprenticeship with Mercury. As a kid I was interested in either working as a Garda (Policeman), or as a construction teacher. After completing my Leaving Certificate, I started a college course at Maynooth University, and I found a job to support myself through college. I soon realised that college life wasn’t for me at that particular time. I continued to work away for a couple of years, but never saw that job as a career for life. I then decided to move to Canada for a couple of years. Whilst there I worked on a few different construction jobs which introduced me to the industry.”
What made you decide to pursue your electrical apprenticeship with Mercury?
“When I returned to Ireland, I had difficulty deciding what career path I wanted to take. One of my friends, whom I spent time living with in Canada, had started an apprenticeship with Mercury, and spoke very highly, both of the opportunities available, and the company as an employer. After doing my own research into apprenticeships and the company, I decided that it was a great opportunity to learn a highly sought-after trade. And an electrical apprenticeship appeared to be an excellent way to earn a good living. Four years later, I am in the last year of my apprenticeship, and I’ve not looked back since. Mercury is an amazing employer that has supported my career, and has provided a great environment to work and learn in.”
What is your favourite thing about working as a tradesperson?
“The best thing about working as a tradesperson is that no two days are the same. You are always learning and are challenged with different tasks which require you to use your brain, skills, and hands to accomplish.”
What advice would you give to anyone who is considering an apprenticeship with Mercury?
“I would highly recommend that anyone who is thinking of applying for an apprenticeship with Mercury, to just go for it! I started mine at a slightly older age of 28, and it’s been the best career decision I’ve ever made. I’ve been able to learn and upskill over the past four years, while earning a good wage, and I recently purchased a house with my wife. It’s a great career path for those who like to work practically with their hands, or who don’t think that a typical college environment is for them. ”
People should realise that your career with Mercury does not end with becoming an electrician. Mercury provides opportunities for its people to progress into different fields such as engineering, BIM, quantity surveying and more.
“If you are looking for a job where you will learn a practical, valued skill, in a good working environment, then this may be the career path for you. I encourage anyone interested to come along to World Skills 2022 at the RDS and speak with us about our experiences and opportunities.”
APPRENTICESHIPS AT MERCURY
At Mercury, we believe that to achieve incredible things you must invest in your people. We recruit and train staff from apprentices to qualified engineers, a policy that has kept many of them with Mercury since the company’s earliest days.
Mercury is one of the largest employers of mechanical and electrical apprentices in Ireland. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, apprentices are awarded a Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) National Craft Certificate. This certificate has national and international recognition and is a compulsory requirement for craftsperson status.
An apprenticeship with Mercury is more than you think. Become part of a global business where you will experience non-stop learning, training, and variety in a range of exciting sectors, including Enterprise & Hyperscale data centres, Advanced Technology, Pharma, Live Environment & Fire Protection.
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