Vocational Study – Work
Experience/Communications
Darren M. Tharp
Title of Report
An investigation into the career of an electrician.
Terms of reference
This report aims to find out:
• Qualifications and Training Routes Available
• Skills and Qualities Needed
• Challenges and opportunities
• Explore job types
• Organisation structure
• Job roles
• Work related issues
• Rights & Responsibilities of Employers & Employees
• Conduct primary research
This report was requested by Lisa Murphy in 7PAS Work Experience.
The author of this report is Darren M. Tharp
Methodology
Primary research carried out in an interview with an ESB professional, and a
survey carried out among my peers.
Secondary research carried out online as outlined in the Bibliography.
Introduction –
1. This document will display a search into the opportunities, challenges, and requirements of being a
qualified electrician in Ireland.
2. Points of discussion will include the following: research of the academic and legal requirements,
approved training, and daily work of an electrician.
This report will include both primary and secondary research in the form of a
survey and using the internet.
Research and Findings
Qualifications and Training Routes Available
Qualifications required to become a registered electrical contractor: a completed education of Junior
Cert or an approved pre-apprenticeship course, entry into an approved apprenticeship program, and
completion of said 4-year program.
Training Routes include apprenticeships with ESB, SOLAS, Anord Mardix, or other approved
companies.
Skills and Qualities Needed:
Problem-solving, attention to detail, manual dexterity, time management, teamwork, and mechanical
aptitude are key skills and qualities to becoming an electrician. ([Link], 2024)
Analysis of challenges and opportunities facing an electrician’s career:
3 challenges –
1. Physical safety concerns:
Danger of electric shock, working at heights, working in confined spaces, heavy lifting
required, high powered equipment
2. Inconsistent working hours:
Working on call over the holidays or weekends, late shifts, time constraints for projects,
emergency repairs
3. Long-term apprenticeships:
4 years of training, hours on the job, academic studies, company-specific contracts for
employment after apprenticeship
3 opportunities –
1. High demand for workers:
Electrical work needed in many surrounding countries, ongoing residential site development,
broad opportunities for industrial workers
2. Good salary:
“The average electrician salary in Ireland is € 54,000 per year or € 27.69 per hour. Entry-level
positions start at € 48,672 per year, while most experienced workers make up to € 68,250 per
year.” (electrician, 2024)
3. Self-employment opportunities:
Registered Electrical Contractors (REC) can seek out the path to starting a business of their
own, either working solo and making repairs and installations, or employing staff and taking on
projects.
Exploration of Work Organisations
1. Electrical careers are most often carried out in the public sector, such as in the ESB, but
websites such as Generation Apprenticeship can direct you to a career path that allows for self-
employment.
2. Organisational Structure – ESB Board Members
“Our Board comprises 12 members appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Climate &
Communications. Board members include the Chairman, the Chief Executive, six independent
Non-executive Directors and four elected Worker Directors.” (ESB 2024) This hierarchy
outlines the run of the ESB Network, and as an employee, you would ultimately answer to
these officers.
3. Job roles – aircraft mechanic, electrical apprentice, electrical instrumentation, electronic
security systems, industrial electrical engineer, instrumentation, refrigeration and air
conditioning (Generation Apprenticeship 2020)
Discussion of three work-related issues
1. Long, irregular hours, including overtime, night shifts, and weekends are a problem for
electricians, and many must be on call for emergency situations. (Skilled Trades College of
Canada, 2023)
2. The demanding work environment often requires the ability to work in confined spaces or at
heights, as well as lifting heavy objects and working in extreme temperatures. (Skilled Trades
College of Canada, 2023)
3. “83% of UK electricians experience mental health problems due to work-related issues, a new
study has found.” This study shows that job stress for electricians is often caused by the cost of
living crisis, finances, or tensions with customers. (Beatrice, 2023)
Rights & Responsibilities of Employers & Employees
Discussion of the basic rights and responsibilities of employers as indicated in legislation:
o Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act, for example by referring to relevant
legislation (2m)
Employee responsibilities – “Taking reasonable care to protect the health and safety of
yourself and other people in the workplace
Not engaging in improper behaviour that will endanger yourself or others
Not being under the influence of drink or drugs in the workplace
Undergoing any reasonable medical assessment (or other assessment) if requested by
your employer
Reporting any defects (faults) in equipment or the workplace which might be a danger
to health and safety” (Citizens information, 2022)
Employer responsibilities – “Provide and maintain a safe workplace (which uses safe
plant and equipment)
Prevent risks from employees using any article or substance, and from exposure to
physical agents, noise and vibration
Prevent any improper conduct or behaviour likely to put the safety, health and welfare
of employees at risk
Provide instruction and training to employees on health and safety
Provide protective clothing and equipment to employees
Appoint a competent person as the organisation’s safety officer” (Citizens information,
2022)
o Equality legislation, for example rights with regard to the nine grounds as
referenced in the equality legislation (2m)
The 9 grounds for discrimination, or the protected grounds
“Gender: includes man, woman or transgender (see ‘legislation covering
discrimination’ below)
Civil status: includes single, married, separated, divorced, widowed people, civil
partners and former civil partners
Family status: this refers to the parent of a person under 18 years or the resident primary
carer or parent of a person with a disability
Sexual orientation: includes gay, lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual
Religion: means religious belief, background, outlook or none
Age: this does not apply to a person aged under 16
Disability: includes people with physical, intellectual, learning, cognitive or emotional
disabilities and a range of medical conditions
Race: includes race, skin colour, nationality or ethnic origin
Membership of the Traveller community.” (Citizens information, 2023)
o Union representation (1m)
Trade unions protect the rights of the employees who join them, and they can negotiate
employment conditions and wages as long as they have a negotiating license. If one
wishes to join a union, information can be found from the Irish Congress of Trade
Unions, which represents a range of interests for members in Ireland and Northern
Ireland. (Citizens information, 2021)
o Regulations relating to pay, for example minimum wage, annual leave, maternity
and parental leave, etc. (1m)
Minimum wage, as outlined in the National Minimum Wage Act of 2000, is currently
€13.50 per hour. Some, according to the legal discretion of the employer, will receive
sub-minimum rates. persons under the age of 20 are subject to sub-minimum rates,
which are outlined in ascending percentages of the full minimum wage, beginning at
70% for persons under the age of 18. It is the responsibility of the employer to come to
an agreement with the employee on a wage no lower than the legal minimum and
constituted of a legal and legitimate payment method. (Citizens information, 2025)
Leave from work is dictated by employment law. “Employment law gives employees
various entitlements to leave from work ranging from holidays to parental leave.”
(Citizens information, no date) This is commonly referred to as annual leave.
“All pregnant employees are entitled to maternity leave from work immediately before
and after the birth of their child.” (Citizens information, no date)
“The Parental Leave Acts 1998-2019 allow parents to take 26 weeks parental leave
from employment, up until their child’s 12th birthday.” (Citizens information, no date)
Primary Source Information:
Include information gathered from surveys/questionnaires etc
40% of interviewees planned to be electricians.
80% of respondents were most interested in the wages of the job as a basis for their career choice.
80% of interviewees aim to work in the private sector.
80% understand what the career of an electrician involves.
The most common answer for the inquiry into which skills are most vital to the electrician’s work was a
knowledge of maths, at 36% of interviewees. Next up was attention to detail at 27%.
In the question concerning the annual salary of an electrician, the survey included only one correct choice out of
three. 60% knew that electricians make an average of € 53,850 per year, and 40% guessed that electricians make
a higher income.
38% of respondents voted that the biggest issue in the career of an electrician was a dangerous work
environment. The next highest votes were for “measurement layout and precision” and “work availability,” both
weighing at 25%.
Rating interest between 1 and 5, a total of 33% of respondents rated their interest in becoming an electrician at
5/5, another 33% rated it 4/5, 17% rated it 3/5, and 17% rated it 1/5.
According to 40% of respondents, the main opportunity of an electrician’s career is high wages. 30% voted that
career progression was also a good opportunity.
Only 33% knew the main responsibilities of employers and employees in the electrical trade.
To summarize the class survey, the average knowledge of and desire to be in an electrical career is
approximately 40% of interviewees. Although there is much demand for electricians in Ireland, based on this
study, it is clear that there will be much competition in the upcoming generation of apprentices and learners.
Also, the obvious advantage that can be gained is a thorough knowledge of the responsibilities and requirements
of electricians, this being what sets one prospective apprentice apart from another.
Conclusions
This document has discussed:
1. The skills and qualities needed to become an electrician (i.e. knowledge of maths,
attention to detail, problem solving skills).
2. Job related issues.
3. Prime opportunities of an electrician’s career.
4. Work organisations.
5. Legal requirements.
6. Public opinion on electrical and other trades.
What has been learned:
1. Electrical work is both demanding and rewarding.
2. Firm knowledge of requirements can procure an edge for the learner when
seeking entry into apprenticeship or employment.
3. Electricians earn a high wage in most countries.
4. Demand for electrical workers is high, but so is competition.
Recommendations (5 points)
1. Aim for high grades in secondary education, and pursue preparatory courses, such
as an approved pre-apprenticeship program.
2. Research the legal, academic, and personal qualifications required for the career
before pursuing work in said career.
3. Seek work on construction sites for the sake of garnering experience in the area of
hands-on work.
4. Consider applying for a degree in institutes of further education that will aid you
in the career, or else that will help you climb the ladder of career progression
more quickly.
5. Apply for an apprenticeship through a trusted company, such as ESB, Anord
Mardix, or other establishments that offer on-the-job training.
Bibliography
Images taken from:
(No date) Home. Available at: [Link]
(Accessed: 10 December 2024).
How to become an electrician (with steps and skills) | [Link] Ireland. (n.d.).
[Link] (Indeed
2024) (Accessed 10 December 2024)
A central route to skills development in Ireland. (n.d.). Generation Apprenticeship.
[Link] (Generation
Apprenticeship 2020) (Accessed 16 December 2024)
ESB Board members. (n.d.). ESB Corporate. [Link]
team/esb-board-members (ESB 2024) (Accessed 16 December 2024)
Skilled Trades College of Canada (2023) [Link]. Available at:
[Link]
(Accessed 17 December 2024)
Beatrice (2023) 83% of electricians experience mental health problems due to work -
Electrical Contracting News (ECN). Available at:
[Link]
health-problems-due-to-work/ (Accessed 17 December 2024)
Citizens information (2022) Health and Safety at Work, [Link].
Available at: [Link]
and-conditions/health-and-safety/health-safety-work/. (Accessed 17 December 2024)
Citizens Information (2023) Equality in the workplace, [Link].
Available at: [Link]
work/equality-in-the-workplace/. (Accessed 17 December 2024)
Citizens Information (2021). Trade Unions. [online] [Link].
Available at: [Link]
and-conditions/industrial-relations-and-trade-unions/trade-unions/. (Accessed 17
December 2024)
[Link] (2024) Minimum wage, [Link] Available at:
[Link]
conditions/pay-and-employment/minimum-wage/. (Accessed 7 January 2025)
[Link] (no date) Leave and holidays, [Link].
Available at: [Link]
and-conditions/leave-and-holidays/. (Accessed 7 January 2025)
electrician (2024) [Link]. Available at: [Link]
(Accessed 7 January 2025)
Report well structured, detailed, balanced, uses impersonal language. Good interpretation of
terms of reference.
This document must be uploaded in two locations on Moodle:
1. Work Experience Module - Vocational Study Assignment
2. Communications Module - Report Assignment
