Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

The Work

The work of a Geo-Driller involves extracting soil samples, installing monitoring equipment, undertaking in-situ testing, assessing and developing water supplies, facilitating the installation of ground support and preparing holes to be charged with explosives for blasting.

Soil and rock are extremely variable and competent drilling requires care, attention to detail and the ability to record accurately the variations encountered below ground either by sampling, written documentation or a combination of both.

Work will involve: 

• Moving drill rig to site – competent in transportation of heavy equipment Assessing ground conditions for set up of a rig
• Setting up a drill rig at predetermined locations – uneven ground, sloping ground, soft ground, under ground
• Safe and productive drilling in varied ground conditions – competent in the areas of health and safety and manual handling
• Sampling and recording (logging) the investigation/drilling findings accurately for use by designers – engineers, geologists, hydrogeologists
• Communicating drilling findings

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Operate controls to stabilise machines and to position and align drills.
• Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
• Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
• Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
• Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilise rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
• Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
• Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
• Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
• Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
• Document geological formations encountered during work.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Apprenticeship Route

The official entry route for a Geo-Driller is through undertaking an apprenticeship.

Click here to find information on the Geo-Driller apprenticeship

Pathways in learning & training to develop a Career in Geo Drilling can be developed in stages: 

FET Centre Traineeship Engineering NFQ level 5 Search our FET coursefinder

FET Post leaving Cert course Preliminary / Civil/ Construction/ Engineering Technology NFQ level 5 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder 

Apprenticeship: These course may build your learning skils & practical work experience skills to progress on to progress an Geo-Drilling at NFQ level 6 

Direct Apprenticeship Entry

The Geo Driller Apprenticeship is for recent school leavers and mature learners, aged 16 or older.

Applicants under the age of 23 must have;

• A pass in the Leaving Certificate; 5 grades at O6/H7 including English or Irish and Mathematics

Applicants under the age of 23 must meet the following entry criteria:

• A pass in the Leaving Certificate; 5 grade O6/H7 including English or Irish and Mathematics. Applicants over the age of 23 years are classed as mature students and can apply on a case by case basis. Such applicants will be assessed with reference to the Recognition of Prior 

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €74k

Salaries vary by employer, duties, role, shift pattern, and location. 

Data Source(s):
CIF/ Solas/ Payscale/ Indeed/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022, by approximately 3,000 persons, but remained above 2017 levels, resulting in a positive, but below average, annual average growth rate for the five-year period. Employment for this occupation was primarily in industry (accounting for a 60% share of employment). Employment permits issued were across a variety of technician roles (e.g. process, manufacturing, laboratory). The Recruitment Agency Survey identified vacancies for maintenance technicians in manufacturing with electrical/mechanical skills as difficult-to-fill.

Employers (Skills for Growth) experienced difficulties in filling a range of engineering technician roles, including aircraft technicians and manufacturing technicians, particularly for those with digital skills and knowledge of procedures/processes. There was a 3% increase in the number of online job adverts in 2022, driven by increases in electrical/electronic technicians and, to a lesser extent, laboratory technicians.

New apprenticeship registrations for a number of industry related technicians (including lab analysts) have risen strongly since the first of these programmes were introduced in 2017; by 2022 there were 314 new registrations across a range of apprenticeships (lab analyst, manufacturing technology, OEM engineer etc.) up from approximately 100 in 2017. Although demand seems to be lessening for these roles, issues with attracting suitable candidates remain for maintenance and laboratory technicians in particular, at least in the short-term.

Drilling is a fundamental activity which underpins the Irish geoscience sector, which is a multibillion-euro industry in its own right. Drilling contributes vital support services and technical knowledge to wider society by supporting the delivery of critical infrastructure. The overall direct impact of the sector is €1.5 billion euro with an indirect impact of €1.8 billion. The sector supports 24,700 jobs when combining direct and indirect employment. (GSI.ie 2019)

The need for this qualification was identified by the drilling industry in partnership with Geological Survey Ireland (GSI), IT Carlow and the Irish Mining and Quarrying Society (IMQS).

• Irish Offshore Operators Association (IOOA)

  • Click Here

• Engineers Ireland

  • 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
  • (01) 665 1300
  • Click Here

• Geological Survey of Ireland

  • Beggars Bush, Haddington Rd., Dublin 4
  • (01) 678 2896
  • Click Here