Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
•   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).
•   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.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   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.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Working Life

Utilities specialists Work mainly in the water supply industry, but skills learned are transferable to other utilities and indeed the wider construction industry.

• Ability to read and interpret drawings 
• Mobile plant operating 
• Pipe welding (butt and electrofusion)
• Pipe laying 
• Concreting
• Install water mains
• Conduct pressure and soundness testing
• Restore water network components to operational condition by repair
• Install equipment for safe working on sites and on the highway
• Locate and avoid supply apparatus
• Excavate & maintain holes & trenches
• Reinstate excavations & pavement surfaces after utility network construction
• Operate powered tools and equipment for routine and predictable requirements 
• Location of Underground Services
• Concreting & Kerbing
• Signing, Lighting & Guarding
• Slinger Signaller Operations
• Site Dumper Operations
• Confined Space Training, Asbestos Awareness
• Emergency Situations / Rescue Training
• Working at Heights
• Water Hygiene
• 360 Excavator Operations
• Telescopic Handler Operations

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels.
• Cut pipes to required lengths.
• Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.
• Cover pipes with earth or other materials.
• Install or repair sanitary or stormwater sewer structures or pipe systems.
• Align and position pipes to prepare them for welding or sealing.
• Check slopes for conformance to requirements, using levels or lasers.
• Lay out pipe routes, following written instructions or blueprints and coordinating layouts with supervisors.
• Operate mechanised equipment, such as pickup trucks, rollers, tandem dump trucks, front-end loaders, or backhoes.
• Grade or level trench bases, using tamping machines or hand tools.

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.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

There are many different types of organisations who require energy engineers, including utility companies, sustainable energy developers, government planning departments, and energy consultants.

A postgraduate qualification offers either a path into the field for someone with a more general engineering or science undergraduate or a way for those who have already studied energy engineering to aid their career by specialising further.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: engineering operations, engineering technology, utilities operator.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: engineering, construction, building, sustainable construction technology.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Engineering, Construction Apprenticeships.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: applied construction technology, construction management, engineering, project construction management.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: civil, engineering, environment, energy, systems engineering, sustainable energy engineering, sustainable energy, green technologies.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Engineers Ireland Continuous professional Development & training 

CIF Construction Industry federation Continuous professional Development & training

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €46k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ CIF Rates

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Elementary construction occupations; Scaffolders; stagers and riggers Road construction operatives; Rail construction; Maintenance operatives; Construction operatives n.e.c.  

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

Overall employment levels for this occupation have been relatively stable in recent years; the negative employment growth over the five-year period for this occupation relates to changes that occurred on the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017. Although employment only increased marginally between 2021 and 2022, there was a high volume of recent job hires indicating that job churn is a significant issue. Scaffolders appeared in the employment permit data, the Recruitment Agency Survey and in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data.

The number of QQI scaffolding awards (specific purpose) reached 329 in 2022, and except for 2019 (when there were 333 awards), was higher than at any point over the last 10 years. A new two-year apprenticeship for scaffolding was also announced in August 2021 which aims to alleviate any issues for this occupation. It is not possible, however, to determine from the Labour Force Survey or Census data the employment levels for scaffolders and as such it is difficult to determine the extent to which supply from the education/training system is meeting demand.

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