How much electrical training is necessary to become an electrician?

in Ireland........4years of training with college stints in between...there is 6 phases-1st is on the job about 6-8months - 2nd collage and workshop training for 6 months - 3rd is back on the job about6 to 8 months - 4th is collage for 11 weeks doing pretty hard book work and exams.....5th is back on the job 6-8months- 6th is P.L.C training for 11 weeks with fairly hard exams at the end.....when this is all passed u are an qualified electrician....AKA ---sparks---