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Utilities Industry Career Information
Career Path
There are many opportunities for work in the utilities, refineries, power companies, aerospace, and other related fields after completing the Summer Utilities Responsive Training (SURT) Program, the Power Electronics Certificate, and/or other Certificates and Degrees offered by the Electronics and Computer Hardware Technology programs at El Camino College. The Certificate programs include Computer Hardware Electronics Technician, Electronics Engineering Technician, and Industrial Computer Control Technician. The Associate of Science degree has two options, namely - Computer Technology and Electronics Technology. Below is a partial list of job titles, including those that require additional education, such as a Bachelor's degree (BS) and a Master's degree (MS).
- Professional
- Electric utility worker - Meter Reader and Electrical Power-Line Installers & Repairers
- Electronics technician - Electrical & Electronic Equipment Assemblers
- Smart Grid technician - Electrical & Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, & Relay and Electrical Engineering Technicians
- Telecom networking specialist - Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
- Smart Grid power engineer (BS and MS) - Electrical Engineers
- Smart Grid ICT Engineer (BS) - Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
- Energy efficiency engineer (BS and MS) - Energy Engineers
- Energy efficiency project manager (BS) - Engineering Managers and Wind Energy Project Managers
- Trades
- Welder - Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters
- Electrician - Electricians and Helpers-Electricians
- Utility line worker - Power Distributors & Dispatchers
- HVAC/R technician - Heating & Air Conditioning Mechanics & Installers
For additional information check out California Career Cafe and the Get Into Energy page, sponsored by the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD).
Another site to use for occupational information is O*Net. Use it to explore occupations based on such areas as industry, interests and abilities, or Occupational Code from another career resource such as Occupational Outlook.
Labor Market Information
Within the next 5-10 years more and more highly skilled technicians will begin to retire and replacements will be needed to take their place. Highly specialized training is needed in these areas, including technicians in the utilities, refineries, power companies, and aerospace, such as Electrical & Electronic Technicians. The table below is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Utilities Workers. On that page is information about Nature of the Industry, Working Conditions, Employment, Occupations in the Industry, Training and Advancement, Outlook, and Earnings. Table 6 is about earnings for the United States, Los Angeles County data is a few dollars more per hour. Overall the earnings for technicians is about $10 more per hour than the average worker.
|
Industry segment |
Earnings |
Weekly |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hourly |
Weekly |
||
|
Total, private industry |
$18.08 |
$608 |
33.6 |
|
Nongovernment utilities |
28.84 |
1231 |
42.7 |
|
Power generation and supply |
30.26 |
1290 |
42.6 |
|
Natural gas distribution |
26.82 |
1177 |
43.9 |
|
Water, sewage and other systems |
21.47 |
867 |
40.4 |
| SOURCE: BLS Current Employment Statistics, 2008. | |||
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2007-05-16-power-shortage-cover_N.htm
(Dept of Labor, LA County, 2008-2018)
http://economicmodeling.com/2011/01/03/the-nations-recession-resistant-occupations-by-cluster
Job Listings
Looking for a job in this economy can be a difficult process. There are several crucial steps to take prior to applying for a job. First, you have to know who you are and what you want. Hopefully you have discovered the El Camino College Career Services and the career counselors who can help you through the Career Decision Making process, including assessments! Furthermore, El Camino College offers several Human Development courses that focus on Career & Life Planning, Strategies for Creating Success in College & in Life, and Strategies for Success in the Workplace. Also, the California Career Cafe has a Get Started Page that has a multitude of resources including four self assessments to help you:
- Identify your strengths, talents and passions.
- Define and match your personality to careers.
- Capitalize on your learning style.
- Focus on your goals.
Once you have identified who you are and what you want then you are ready to try out careers through volunteering and internships. A key person to ask about these is your professor.
A great place to start looking for apprenticeships, internships, and paid part time & full time positions is the company site, one good search term would be technician but look at all the open positions:
Edison International, including Southern California Edison
Southern California Gas Company
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
There are several on-line sources that are useful in finding openings, here are a few:
Another way people found jobs prior to the internet was searching their local area for company listings. One way to do this is use Google Maps, enter your zip code and then search the local area using key words such as, energy, power, electrical, electronic, utilities, and aerospace. Then you can find small, mid-size, and large companies in your neighborhood; perhaps you did not even realize they were there.
Go back to the Utilities Grant Page
Continue to visit this web page for a sample of job listings and other information.
Feel free to contact me about the content of this page, broken links, etc.
Contact Information
John L Weitzel, Coordinator
Utilities Responsive Training Grant Program
(310) 660-3593 x3609
jweitzel@elcamino.edu
URT Office (Tech Arts 207A)