Combilift and the Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) have marked 10 years of their collaborative OEM Engineering Traineeship. Launched in 2015, the initiative addresses the regional skills gap in manufacturing and engineering, with over 150 graduates to date and a job placement rate exceeding 80 per cent.

Held at Combilift’s Monaghan headquarters, the celebration drew past and present trainees, highlighting how the nine-month course—combining 26 weeks of classroom learning with 12 weeks of hands-on training—has evolved with industry needs. Course content now includes modules in Hydraulics, Lean Manufacturing, and Mathematics.

The programme is fully funded, with EU and government support, and trainees receive a €300 weekly bursary during placements. Additional certifications, including City & Guilds and Lean Six Sigma White Belt, enhance employability.

CMETB plans to expand the programme to include other regional employers. With applications open for September 2025, the initiative remains a strong model of industry-education partnership. “We’re proud to continue building talent right here,” said Martin McVicar, Managing Director, Combilift.