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Matthew McIntyre: A rising star in Mercury’s Electrical Apprenticeship Programme
Ahead of World Skills Ireland 2023, we spoke to Matthew McIntyre, a phase four electrical apprentice based on an advanced technology project in Co. Kildare, Ireland. Matthew outlines the reasons why those considering a career in construction should make Mercury their first choice for an apprenticeship.
We invite you to join us at this event, which takes place in the RDS, Dublin from September 20th-22nd, where you can delve deeper into our commitment to apprenticeships and discover how we empower the tradespeople of tomorrow. You can speak to our team of experts at Stand S18.
Keep reading below to learn about Matthew’s journey with Mercury.
Can you tell us about your career to date and educational background?
“I’m originally from Clane, Co. Kildare, and attended a local school there. Woodwork always intrigued me, and I developed a passion for hands-on learning. During Transition Year, I ventured to the UK to work as a carpenter alongside my brother-in-law. Those months taught me the ropes of roofing and labouring. I repeated the experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, this time working in scaffolding, and my love for on-site work and practical learning grew stronger. I’ve always been more comfortable with hands-on learning than poring over books. There’s a strong family tradition in construction. My brother-in-law is a quantity surveyor on a large residential development, and my father, who was a dry cleaner, returned to college at the age of 55 and ended up working in EHS for Mercury. His journey definitely influenced my decision. After exploring future career possibilities, I decided to pursue an electrical apprenticeship and was particularly drawn to the industry’s prospects in renewable energy and hydropower.”
Why did you choose Mercury for your apprenticeship?
“Many people I knew spoke highly of Mercury, emphasising their support for apprentices throughout their college education. I heard they genuinely take care of you, and that has proven to be true over the past few years. They provide substantial guidance on your journey, offer job security through involvement in major, long-term projects, and expose you to various aspects of the trade. Additionally, there are opportunities to work abroad, which I plan to explore once I complete my apprenticeship.”
What’s the day-to-day job like at the moment?
“Currently, I’m working on an advanced technology project in Co. Kildare. My daily tasks vary from week to week. Right now, I’m installing lighting above a clean room, and this job exposes me to a wide range of tasks within the electrical trade. That’s one of the great things about working as an apprentice with Mercury—you get to experience many different facets of the trade, all while contributing to long-lasting commercial and industrial projects. There are also exciting opportunities for international work, which I intend to pursue after completing my apprenticeship.”
What’s your favourite thing about working as a tradesman?
“The skills I’ve acquired are applicable in multiple ways. The theoretical knowledge gained in college is genuinely fascinating and has real-world applications. While I do prefer the practical side, the theory is an integral part of the trade. I completed my Phase 2 in Tallaght and am heading to Galway for Phase 4 in October. After that, I’ll have one more year to go. If I had to pick a favourite thing about being an apprentice, it’s that numerous doors open for you once you’re fully qualified. If things continue in the current direction, I can envision myself staying in the advanced technology sector for a while before considering international opportunities and incorporating travel into my work. Mercury offers excellent prospects for these endeavours.”
What would you say to anyone considering an apprenticeship with Mercury?
“My advice is to seek work experience on a construction site to see if it’s the right fit for you. The experience doesn’t have to align exactly with the trade you’re interested in; it’s more about acclimating to the construction environment and determining if it matches your career goals. I knew immediately that this was my calling after gaining some experience in the construction field. If you’re considering an apprenticeship, Mercury is the ideal place to be. They have a dedicated apprentice development centre that provides training in domestic aspects of the trade, which you might miss out on if you solely work on large commercial or industrial projects. Apprenticeships may not be on everyone’s radar, but in my opinion, more people should consider them as a viable and rewarding career path.”
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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