The closing date for this competition is 3pm on Thursday, 30th April, 2026.
Apply Now!Role Overview
- Salary: €28,815*
- Grade: Apprenticeship
- Work Pattern: Full-time, Temporary (26 months). During the final quarter of the programme, qualifying apprentices will be invited to apply to a specific competition run by publicjobs to be appointed, if successful, as an Executive Officer (EO).
- Employer: Civil Service
- Streams Available: English & Irish
- Location: Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Leitrim (English Stream), Galway (Na Forbacha) & Donegal (Gaoth Dobhair) (Irish Stream)
*the salary for apprentices will be 75% of the Executive Officer Standard Scale. Apprentices who become EOs will have a starting salary of €38,419 (gross) per annum, rising incrementally to a maximum of €62,601 (gross) per annum.
What is the Role?
A Business & Operations apprentice is a full-time apprenticeship position across a variety of Civil Service organisations.
Throughout the apprenticeship, successful candidates will build their understanding of how public services are delivered, engage with a variety of business functions, and improve their digital and leadership capabilities in a changing world of work.
Apprentices will also contribute to purposeful work that positively impacts citizens, communities, and society. As part of the Irish language stream, apprentices will also have the opportunity to further develop their Irish language skills and be part of the move towards a bilingual public service.
Business and Operations Apprentices will also improve their skills and knowledge in areas such as:
- improving operational delivery and business performance
- budgeting and financial management
- providing quality customer service to the public
- project management and evaluating performance
- the use of technology and data to improve processes
- human resources and talent management
Why Choose an Apprenticeship?
There are various benefits to doing a public service apprenticeship, such as:
- Hybrid Learning: The apprenticeship model offers a multifaceted approach to learning with training provided both on-the-job and in a classroom setting.
- Earn and Learn: Apprenticeships offer you the chance to get paid, valuable experience and education.
- Upskilling: Upon successful completion of the programme, apprentices will receive a QQI-recognised, level 6 qualification in Business & Operations.
- Personal & Professional Growth: While improving your skills and knowledge, apprenticeships also offer you the opportunity to progress professionally to an Executive Officer grade.
- Support:Throughout your apprenticeship journey, you will have hands-on support from a mentor who will offer guidance, assurance, and advice.
Essential Requirements
Candidates must have on or before the competition closing date:
- Be at least 18 years old.
AND - Possess a Leaving Certificate at Level 4 or above; or hold a minimum Level 4 qualification, major or minor award on the National Framework of Qualifications. Applicants who possess a Level 5 qualification or higher are also eligible and encouraged to apply.
Further Essential Requirements: Irish Language Stream
Candidates must have on or before the competition closing date:
- In addition to the above, candidates applying for the Irish language stream should satisfy themselves that they have a minimum B1 level of spoken Irish on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) using the self-assessment grid (EN/GA). Candidates should expect to have their spoken Irish assessed as part of the interview stage. Candidates who possess a B2 level or higher of spoken Irish are also eligible and encouraged to apply.
Interested?
The Business & Operations Apprenticeship in the Civil Service is now live!
To learn more and apply, please visit the publicjobs website!