Electrical Artificer
The Electricians of the INS are known as EA’s (Electrical Artificer) and are trained in conjunction with Fás. The EA is a qualified electrician, who maintains all shipboard electrical equipment and power supplies. At sea the EA will follow a planned maintenance routine to ensure that all vital equipment is kept functioning.
Initial selection for training is by application for an apprenticeship through the Defence Forces Tech Trainee Scheme. Any individual can apply from any branch. The successful candidate will then commence a time based or modular based apprenticeship in conjunction with Fás. This is an internationally recognised qualification.
| Course | Prerequisites | Outcome |
| Electrician /Instrument Technician Apprenticeship Duration 4 years |
Group / Intermediate Certificate / Junior Certificate | Internationally recognised qualification |
| EA1 7 Weeks |
O/Mech’s course & 1 year off the Job Training with Fás. | Eligible for promotion to Ordinary Electrical Artificer O/EA |
| EA2 6 Weeks |
As above including: Junior Trade Certificate 12 Weeks Sea time completed Satisfactory completion of task book or NCEA Cert in electronics. Completion of books 1-7 of correspondence course |
Eligible for promotion to Able Electrical Artificer A/EA |
| EA3 7 Weeks |
As above including:12 Weeks Seagoing as A/EA Successful completion of Senior Trade. Successful completion of Trade Workbook. Have successfully completed books 8-17 of correspondence course. |
Eligible for promotion to Leading Electrical Artificer L/EA* |
| EA4 6 Weeks |
6 Months at Sea as L/EA 6 Months ashore gaining workshop experience. Have qualified for a National Craft Certificate Have passed City & Guilds 224 pts 1&2 or Have a N.C.E.A. Certificate (Electronics) |
Eligible for promotion to Petty Officer Electrical Artificer PO/EA** |
| EA5 2 Weeks Project Presentation |
Have qualified for a National Craft Certificate or Have a N.C.E.A. certificate (Electronics) | Eligible for promotion to Chief Petty Officer Electrical Artificer CPO/EA*** |
* Dependant on passing out of Potential NCO’s Course and Rank Vacancy
** Dependant on passing out of Standard NCO’s Course and Rank Vacancy
*** Dependant on passing out of Senior NCO’s Course or Holding of Class 2 Certificate (Group / Intermediate Certificate / Junior Certificate Military equivalent) and Rank Vacancy
