The Evolving Utility Workforce
It’s no secret that the utility workforce is currently in a state of flux. Baby Boomers are retiring in droves, leaving the remaining employee base with a knowledge gap. An estimated 50% of line crews will retire within the next 5 years. And for the remaining employees, new and emerging technology is changing the manner in which they need to get the job done.
Adding insult to injury is the fact that utility companies are struggling to find qualified people to replace the retirees. An estimated 1.5 million new energy positions are expected to come online in the next 15-20 years, yet according to this article, 70% of utilities say they struggle to find qualified new employees. This makes it extremely tough to engage in effective and efficient succession planning.
Solutions to the Dwindling Utility Workforce
There is little doubt that this is a serious problem for our industry. Utility infrastructure not only needs repair and maintenance, but it also needs enhancements to accommodate so-called smart technologies. According to the previously-referenced article, the industry should be doing the following to repopulate and reenergize the new hire pipeline:
- Utility companies, colleges and government leaders need to collaborate on boosting training options for hopeful utility workers.
- Training programs must be enhanced to focus on the current iteration of infrastructure, as well as the future state of these same assets.
As you can see, this is all about training and education, one of the things that is near and dear to me heart. Just like emergency preparedness, solving the utility workforce crisis essentially boils down to three steps – educate, recruit, and train.
