Agreement Paves Way for First Apprenticeship in the Nonprofit Sector

A significant step towards the development of Ireland’s first dedicated third-level apprenticeship for the nonprofit sector has just been taken. 

The Wheel, Ireland’s national association for nonprofit organisations, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) confirming Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) as the official education partner in an application to the National Apprenticeship Office for a Level 6 Apprenticeship in Nonprofit Studies.

Commenting on the signing of the agreement, Barry Dempsey, CEO of The Wheel, said,

“This much-needed initiative will bring our sector in line with other sectors and industries, providing an accredited educational option that is accessible and affordable to a much broader swathe of our sector. For many who have entered the sector through lived experience and contribute daily to an immense collective societal good, certain doors have remained closed due to a lack of formal accreditation; an apprenticeship model for our sector will open those doors and change lives.”

Dr Etain Kidney, Head of School, School of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, TU Dublin, added,

“TU Dublin is proud to partner with The Wheel on an initiative focused on delivering real, practical skills for the people working across Ireland’s community and voluntary organisations. This work has the potential to be truly transformative for the sector and to create a pathway to formal education through an earn and learn model.”

Maria Couchman, Director of Sector Skills at The Wheel, added,

“As a new academic partner, TU Dublin will bring expertise, innovation, and a shared commitment to strengthening skills within our sector. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our ambition to build structured, accessible pathways that recognise and develop the 281,000 people powering Ireland’s community and voluntary organisations.”

Sharon Hughes, Leadership Academy Manager at The Wheel, and Apprenticeship Coordinator, outlined the programme’s development,

“We have been working with our members over the past two years to develop an apprenticeship that will deliver practical training to people working in our sector, and ensure our essential services are led by highly skilled professionals into the future. Teaming up with TU Dublin as our education partner is a huge step in moving this project forward.”

Dr Lorraine Sweeney, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Business, TU Dublin, concluded,

“This initiative represents a significant step forward for the sector, offering an exciting opportunity for those in the sector to gain practical, transformative skills that will advance their careers and strengthen the sector. At TU Dublin, we are proud to support this partnership, reflecting our commitment to practice-based and research-informed education.”

The Wheel and TU Dublin will apply to the National Apprenticeship Office in early 2026. For more information about the apprenticeship, contact Sharon Hughes, Apprenticeship Coordinator at sharon@wheel.ie.

What is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a programme of structured education and training which formally combines and alternates learning in the workplace with learning in an education or training centre. It is a dual system, a blended combination of on-the-job employer-based training and off-the-job training. Apprentices are employed under a formal contract of apprenticeship, and the employer pays the apprentice for the duration of the apprenticeship. 

Apprenticeships in Ireland:

• Are industry-led, by consortia of industry and education partners
• Lead to an award at Levels 5 to 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
• Last between 2-4 years in duration
• Require a minimum 50% on-the-job learning
• Provide flexible learning – online, blended, off-the-job learning in increments/blocks.

Learn more at Generation Apprenticeship.