THE RAPID growth in the manufacturing technology sector is reflected by Connaught Electronics. The Co Galway firm's workforce has grown from five employees in 1982 to a present level of 170 - and one of those to benefit from its success is Kieran Burke, a 28 year-old manufacturing technician.

His own history with the Tuam-based firm is no less dramatic. He started out doing work experience there for a month after he finished second-level school in 1990 and was taken on by the company.

Connaught Electronics is an Irish-owned automotive electronics company and is involved in manufacturing radiotelemetry and vehicle-tracking systems. "My job is basically to keep the lines running," he says. "I carry out checks to ensure that all of the equipment we use is calibrated properly."

Burke ensures that all of their equipment is routinely tested by sending components to external testing houses. "Equipment is sent out to places such as CSL in Limerick where they are checked against a standard measure," he explains. "If we find any irregularities then we increase the checks on the equipment to make sure it is functioning properly."

His interest with all things electronic began while he was attending St Jarlath's Secondary School and, upon leaving, he completed a FAS course in industrial electronics.

Burke started work in quality control while attending a night course in Galway/Mayo IT where he was awarded a certificate in electronics. He now hopes to add to this with a diploma in electronics at some future stage.

"Machines have become very sophisticated," says Burke. "They're doing jobs now which were done by people even eight or nine years ago."

He welcomes the company's policy of subsidising members of the workforce who attend night courses for professional development.

Even with his main hobby, Burke cannot escape completely from electronics. He is interested in ham radio as well as swimming, when he gets a chance. He is currently working on day shifts but can be on call when machines malfunction without warning.

CONNAUGHT ELECTRONICS is wholly Irish-owned. Set up in 1982, it employs 160, produces car alarms and immobilisers. It recently launched a satellite tracking device for haulage companies.