Meet Ringsend Apprentice Fitter, Ethan

Ethan Currivan is an Apprentice Fitter who joined CAW in January 2025. He’s keen to share his experience to help those who may be considering a career as a fitter or in the water industry.

What does being an apprentice involve?

The apprenticeship lasts around four years, and is a mix of practical work on-site alongside study. Three phases of the programme, of about six months each, will be spent in college, whilst the rest will be spent working on-site to learn and put skills into action. For me, the opportunity to learn and earn was a no-brainer. I get a lot of experience and a qualification at the end of it.

Why did you choose CAW for your apprenticeship?

After leaving school, I worked in a hardware store, but I was keen to take the next step in my career and felt that qualifying in a trade was the best way forward. I began exploring mechanical fitting apprenticeships in the area. Deniz, CAW’s Maintenance Manager, gave me a tour of the Ringsend site and walked me through the process and technologies in use. I found it all really interesting and was excited by the variety of machinery and equipment I’d get the chance to learn about and work on.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Every day is different, and I’m always learning something new. We usually start the week with a list of maintenance or repair tasks, but at Ireland’s largest wastewater treatment plant, things can change quickly. Sometimes we need to put planned jobs on hold to troubleshoot an unexpected issue – that means working out what’s causing the problem, how to fix it, and then getting it sorted. I work alongside an experienced fitter, who I assist and learn from.

What are you enjoying most about the Mechanical Fitter Apprenticeship with CAW?

The best part is that no two days are the same – there’s always something new to learn or get involved with. I’m also getting hands-on experience with a huge variety of equipment and technologies, including some of the most advanced processes out there, which is great for my development and sets me up well for the future.

The team is really friendly and supportive – they genuinely want you to do well. CAW also provide good training and support, which makes a big difference. During the college stages, I’m also looking forward to learning more about lathe work, bench fitting, and using hand tools as the apprenticeship progresses.

What do you think the future holds for you?

Right now, I’m focused on doing my best with the course and apprenticeship - that’s my first big milestone. Once I’ve built up more experience and have a better understanding of the different opportunities at CAW, I’ll be in a great position to take the next step in my career, with a solid foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience.

Ethan's Manager, Deniz, commented on how Ethan is getting on, a few months into the Apprenticeship:

“I catch up with Ethan regularly, and it’s great to see how much he’s enjoying the experience. He’s making good progress, and I’m really pleased with how he’s developing.”

Interested in a career at CAW? Visit our Careers page to find out more.