Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Working Life

• Fireworks are rigged to go off in a set pattern that is controlled by computer.
• Pyrotechnicians as well, may choreograph a fireworks show (with or without music).
• pyrotechnician needs to ensure that all the steps involved in putting on a fireworks display are running smoothly, from the initial set up
• Cleaning up after the show or process of work
• To work in this field must be knowledgeable about the applicable laws & safety
• Procedures must be followed before and during a fireworks display

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
• Maintain, clean, or sterilise laboratory instruments or equipment.
• Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
• Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
• Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardised formulas, or create experimental formulas.
• Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.
• Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programmes, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits.
• Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers.
• Develop or conduct programmes of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, or products.
• Train new employees on topics such as the proper operation of laboratory equipment.

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

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 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.

 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.

Explosives and pyrotechnics in Ireland are very tightly controlled. Entrance into this career may be from a variety of integrated sources, depending on your chosen career goal. Examples of application of pyrotechnics as a career: Quarry blasting, Film & TV special effects, Engineering, Construction.

Skills & certification in explosives are specialist skills. These skills include chemical engineering, ICT skills for automation, health & safety awareness. A background in the STEM skills – science, technology, engineering and math may be of benefit as you develop this skillset.

Key Skills Certs: 

Blasting techniques/shot-firing, plant operations & health and safety (Manual Handling, Fire-Safety & SafePass), Working at Height, demolition & earth moving equipment tickets, Earth mover/ Tipper/ HGV tickets, Hazardous  chemical ticket. New entrants may be school leavers. Employers generally recruit people aged 18 years. Search FET Courses nationwide options for individual key skill certs and NFQ level courses.

Employers require that you have completed training prior to employment to comply with HazChem/ Explosives/ Quarrying Safety Guidelines from HSA.

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: construction skills certification programme

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: building, construction, pre-apprenticeship, engineering technology, film, TV production, film production.

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, Geo-Driller, Bricklayer / Stonelayer, Stone Cutter / Stone Mason.

Search for Apprenticeships

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.

HSA Quarrying 

Careersinscreen

GOV.ie Dept of Justice Pyrotechnics guidelines

British Pyrotechnics Association 

European Fireworks Association

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)* €30k - €70k

Salaries vary depending on employer, location, experience, and duties.Shot blasters or blasters in Quarrying/ Display/ or construction salaries vary & are generally sessional and pro-rata. 

Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Glassdoor/ Sigmar/ Excel

Last Updated: March, 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.

• Science Foundation Ireland

  • Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin, 2
  • 01 - 607 3200
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health and Safety Authority

  • The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce St. Dublin 1
  • 1890 289 389
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Engineers Ireland

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