Electrical or Electrical Instrumentation Apprenticeship?

ifeelabreeze · 09-01-2026 12:02AM #1

Hi folks, not sure where to ask this.
Started with a crowd doing E&I work, signed up as an apprentice Electrician as at the time there was no course for E&I to get REC. Only signed up a few weeks and that course got brought in!

So now I'm at a bit of a loss. Should I stay put as an apprentice Electrician or change to Electrical Instrumentation?

Feel I'd prefer the nature of the E&I work. Company I work for are great, biggest issue is it's quite a trek to their base so I worry if they'll set us up on a job that's a silly distance for me.
Also the stents in Cork or Carlow aren't ideal but not a deal breaker.

As for Electrical, would like the variety and flexibility - change to Domestic, Commercial, Fire Alarm work etc.. Also like the idea of going down the Tester/AP Route in years to come, but that can be done via either now.
One small factor, I've always wanted to (eventually) start my own Business, feel Electrical would allow for more opportunity that way whilst E&I would be far more niche, but again - enjoyable work.

What would you suggest?
Had a few guys already suggest I switch to E&I

17-01-2026 07:35PM

Personally, based on my experience I would go for the E&I option. I served my time as an electrician but now work as an E&I engineer in a design role.

It is often more lucrative and there are many opportunities particularly in the pharma sector.

mikewest · 17-01-2026 07:41PM

E&I all the way. Pay is better in the long run unless you specialize in the MV or HV . Also you are doing two crafts in one.

OK I'll admit I'm biased but....

LongDrawings · 12-05-2026 04:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058430856/electrical-or-electrical-instrumentation-apprenticeship

at the time there was no course for E&I to get REC. Only Signed up a few weeks and that course got brought in!

As someone who is looking at potentially doing a E&I apprenticeship, could you tell me a bit about this as I can't find any information online regarding what was brought in. All the information I can see is that there is discussions on bringing in a course and a survey was sent out but I don't see any change to the safe electric website or any updates on apprenticeship.ie

Is there a cost for the course? how long is it expected to be? do you need to be employed by someone in the domestic industry? are you limited in anyway compared to someone who did a 4 year electrical apprenticeship vs doing the top up course?

17-05-2026 08:40AM

It is a 4 year full time hands on apprenticeship. Typically apprentices are industry sponsored so they do not pay, they are paid to do it. The pay is generally a percentage of a qualified persons pay. This percentage increases each year as the apprentice progress through the apprenticeship. It has proved to be an excellent way to learn.

E&I apprenticeships are only available from large electrical contractors.

Electrical or Electrical Instrumentation Apprenticeship?

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