Looming Lineman Shortage

    There is an interesting piece in the June issue of The Electrical Worker, the official publication of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.  (Click on the above link and then see California Local Prods Regulators to Confront Utility Worker Shortage.)  It seems that for many years, utility companies have cranked up short term profits by cutting back on apprenticeship training programs, and so recruitment has failed to keep pace with retirement.  In the U.S. as a whole, by 2013 nearly a third of all utility workers will be eligible  for retirement, and in some local areas, understaffing is already a problem. The regulatory boards which supervise this industry have a legal mandate to insure that utilities have sufficient facilities and manpower to maintain reliable service, both for the present and for the foreseeable future.   In some areas, local unions are now petitioning these boards, demanding an investigation as to whether recruitment and training are now adequate for projected future needs.
   This is amazing.   For a union to demand that more workers be taken in--to compete for overtime with the present workforce--is quite  unusual.   But the understaffing in some areas has become a serious safety concern. Linemen's work is inherently dangerous,  and to do it while undermanned only increases the risk. And besides, these workers take pride in providing their costumers with reliable service, 24/7.  And the understaffing in some areas has made this all but impossible.

Note:   Looking for a career?   If you are a physically robust young man who thinks he has a bent for science and technology,  why not be a lineman?   No college degree is required.  You will work on the job and also attend college level classes, but all training is provided, and you are paid wages from day one. And once you finish your apprenticeship, you will earn good wages and have a steady job for the rest of your working life.  That's the good part.  But it is extremely challenging physically and technically. You will often work during ice storms and blizzards--and whenever a flood, tornado, or other natural disaster strikes, the line crews are first responders.  But if you want a highly respected job that will test your manhood (or womanhood) to the limit, this is it.    For information, call any IBEW office and they will refer you to the appropriate  people.  Or visit  WWW.IBEW.ORG