The Register of Electrical Contractors of Ireland is the self-regulating body for the electrical contracting industry.

Qualified electricians earn around £12 an hour. First-year apprentices earn 30 per cent of this. Secondyear apprentices earn 45 percent, third-years 65 per cent and fourthyears earn 80 per cent.

There are apprentices currently registered with FAS, 28.3 per cent of whom are electricians.

ESB places advertisements seeking applications for electrical apprenticeships in the newspapers in January. Aptitude tests are held at a number of regional centres in March and candidates are shortlisted for interview in the early summer of each year. ESB apprentices earn from £4,368 in the first year, rising to £11,646 in the fourth year, but these rates are under review.

ESB-qualified Network Technicians' pay rate starts at £14,559 annually; this is also under review at present.