Utility Jobs: Supplying The World's Needs?

Answer 1

Utility companies are the lifeline of modern society as they provide people with energy and water. Wherever there is a building, there is a job related to utility service.

Gas, electricity, and water are all delivered to homes, businesses, and organizations by utility companies. Most utility jobs are technical in nature although there are some other departments such as financial, marketing, and sales. However, the core of the utility industry involves qualified individuals who have technical and scientific skills to supply today's high demand for energy and water.

Working in the utility industry is ideal for people of certain character, work habits, and skills. When it comes to the work setting, the choices are either inside utility plants or outdoors.

For example, electricity is generated at power plants while water supply is processed at treatment facilities. Some common positions at power and water treatment plants involve monitoring and checking the equipment. Since most of the operations at these plants are automatic, there is no need for around the clock physical labor. Rather, most of the work involves patrolling the facilities constantly. Power plants have a relatively small crew of workers, so it is a quite work environment. The different types of power plants are hydro, nuclear, fossil fuel, and coal burning.

A large portion of utility jobs are done outdoors. The most common examples include maintaining and repairing power lines and grids. Utility workers fixing electricity poles in the middle of a street is a familiar scene for everyone. These types of utility workers often work in emergency situations and they don't have a fixed schedule. They must respond in case of blackouts and power failures immediately.

Similarly, utility companies that deliver water and natural gas have workers that install, check, and repair supply lines, particularly pipes. These jobs involved harder physical labor than working with electric power lines.

Some of the most important attributes of utility company workers include problem solving skills. They must be able to diagnose technical problems quickly and know how to respond. A strong background in math, science, engineering and technology is essential. With the rise of alternative energy, utility companies demand that their workers be familiar with the latest power solutions such as solar, ethanol, and wind sources.