Working Life

Industrial Abseilers, also known as rope access technicians or abseiling maintenance technicians, are building maintenance technicians who use ‘rope access’ to get to hard-to-reach areas of buildings and other structures in order to carry out repairs and maintenance works.

Rope access is a method of getting work done at height, without having the obstacles of scaffolding, towers or cherry pickers in the way. Rope access companies have a niche marketplace of benefit to companies who require exterior building maintenance.

Sometimes rope access is the only way to work at height, other than scaffolding. Rope access technicians are also required to have a skill, trade or profession, e.g electrician, or engineer etc. as well as abseiling skills, ability and training.

Industrial abseilers may be skilled in many trades, or specialists in a particular area. They may paint, repair concrete, brickwork and stone and carry out task in a wide variety of trades. The only difference is that they do their job at ten, or twenty floors off of the ground, sometimes more.

Abseiling maintenance technicians offer maintenance and repair services for buildings and other structures. They are trained specialists who are certified to assist with the trade. When they go up, they are harnessed in and tied between to two separate ropes. The anchor on each rope is independent of each other.

Abseilers may work in groups so that they can assist one another if anything unexpected happens.

Rope access originated in the off-shore industry. There are now many on-shore applications for the technique. Industrial abseilers can be seen at work on iconic buildings around the world, as well as in local city centres and industrial complexes. Rope access is also widely used in the natural environment for tasks such as stabilisation of cliffs and rock formations and a wide range of other locations where quick and safe access to a high or difficult area is required. The ease with which rope access technicians can safely apply themselves to working at height means that architects and engineers can continue to design and construct ever more challenging structures and buildings which prohibit the use of other forms of access.

Tasks

• Inspection and Testing of Structures
• Structural Surveys
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
• Shafts
• Confined spaces Masts, towers and pylons
• Satellite and radar tracking installations
• Construction, Maintenance and Repair
• Concrete Repair on bridges and high rise buildings
• Repair of historic buildings, churches and monuments
• Renewable energy sector wind turbines
• Sealant Installation and Re-instatement
• Secondary Fixings
• Replacement Cladding
• Flare Stack erection & maintenance
• Cleaning and Painting - Jet spray Grit blasting Spray Painting Roller brush Painting Full surface Preparation
• Facilities Management & Building Services
• General Window Cleaning, Glasing Inspection, Replacement and Repair Services
• Repair Fitting and Maintenance
• Pest Controland and Bird deterrent installation
• Façade Survey, Coating, inspection and maintenance
• Geotechnical/Civil Engineering
• Permanent Rock Anchorage - Soil Nailing, Sprayed Concrete, Rock fall prevention, Meshing Pressure Pointing, Slope stabilisation,
• Media & Entertainment - Rigging for stage Lighting & sound Erection of banners Aerial photography

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

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Rope access technicians are required to have a skill, trade or profession, e.g electrician, or engineer etc. as well as abseiling skills, ability, training and certification.

Many abseilers started off as an adventurers and evolved into trained specialists in the area. They are skilled workers who can ascend and descend the height of a building to get to all aspects of the structure and carry out vital works. 

Some rope access technicians started out as rock climbers, potholers and cavers. Many technicians have worked as rock climbing instructors or have a background in military service. Those in possession of such skills will find employment after qualifying as a rope technician much easier.

A background in construction operative skills (scaffolding etc.) may be an advantage. Training/supervision is carried out on the job working by an experienced Industrial abseiler.

Key Skill Certs:

• SafePass
• Manual Handling 
• Construction skills 
• Working at Height: Safety Harness working, [MEWP] Mobile Elevated Work Platform 
• Scaffolding

Check employment & training options in the Construction sector requiring working at height.

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, overhead powerline operative.

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: construction, construction technology, engineering technology.

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: Scaffolding, Engineering, Arboriculture.

Search for Apprenticeships

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €45k

Salaries vary depending on employer, location, experience, qualifications and duties.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Glassdoor/ WRC

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Weavers and knitters, Upholsterers, Footwear and leather working trades, Tailors and dressmakers, Textiles, garments and related trades n.e.c., Pre-press technicians, Printers, Print finishing and binding workers, Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers, Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers, Florists, Other skilled trades n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

There was almost no employment growth over the five-year period for this occupation; employment declined in the earlier years but has been increasing since 2021, returning to 2018 levels. At 27%, the share of non-Irish citizens was above the national average. The volume of vacancies was small for this occupation; most online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) related to tailors and dressmakers with DSP adverts for upholsterers.

Employment growth in recent years may be related to an increased focus on the circular economy leading to larger demand, or at least a slowing of the decline, for roles such as upholsterers and tailors. In the latest review by DETE, upholsterers, tailors and dressmakers have been removed from the ineligible list of occupations for employment permits, subject to a quota.

• Industrial Rope Access Trade Association IRATA International

  • Unit 3, Eurogate Business Park, Ashford Kent, TN24 8XW
  • +44 (0)1233 754 600
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Women in Trades network Ireland (WITnI).

  • Greystones, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Construction Industry Federation

  • Construction House, Canal Road, Dublin 6
  • (01) 406 6000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health and Safety Authority

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