Transmission

Thanks to the sleepless dedication of inventors, entrepreneurs, and scientist (and their teams of researchers), such as Alessandro Volta, Thomas Edison, and Nikola Tesla (who ironically proved wires are not needed to transfer electricity 1) we have the knowledge, technology, and ability to transmit energy from its source to our homes and businesses. (For a very basic explanation of an Electricity Transmission System, visit this site from the California Energy Commission.)

(photo courtesy of itsray)

However, as our nation's 50-year old infrastructure ages while we continue to increase our energy consumption, our transmission system struggles under increased loads. Additionally, as renewable sources of electricity become more commonplace, and require increasing numbers of connections to the transmission backbone, our system will require newer and increased capacity.

RenewableEnergyWorld.com says, "The U.S. utility industry will have to invest between US $1.5 and US $2 trillion between 2010 and 2030 to maintain current levels of reliable energy service for customers throughout the country...", again, that's $2,000,000,000,000.00.

Having recognized that "Colorado’s current transmission infrastructure is not adequate to meet the increasing electricity demands and the projected growth of wind and solar energy" and "The lack of adequate transmission represents a lost opportunity for early action to connect our vast renewable resources to the electric market while keeping Colorado’s transmission system reliable,"2 a state committee was convened last year to analyze and address these issues and opportunities.

This Clean Energy Development Authority (CEDA) states "Colorado has renewable resources in such abundance that the state can meet the current minimum utility Renewable Energy Standard by tapping a small portion of our total renewable resources." The Task Force assessed these opportunities, and the transmission requirements to bring these resources to market. (this source also has great resource maps and graphs)

Given the attention to this matter, and the fact that nearly half of the workers in the energy industry will be retiring within the decade, one can presume that this opens the door of opportunity for those considering a career in transmission, and not just as an electrical line technician/worker aka, lineman (whose journey level makes about $35/hour + benefits. For more info about being a lineman, click here. BTW, Trinidad State Junior College' Lineman School will have a Job Fair on Friday, December 12, 2008, 9AM - Noon in Colorado Springs, Colorado - click here for more details)

It takes teams of people in a number of different types of jobs to ensure overhead or underground transmission lines and the structures that support them are properly mapped, designed, engineered, licensed, permitted, manufactured, transported, built, connected, inspected, monitored, maintained and repaired.

Colorado employers of transmission-related jobs include:

- Xcel Energy
- Western Area Power Authority
- Tri-State Generation & Transmission
- Platte River Power Authority
- Black Hills Corporations
- Colorado Rural Electric Association, and
- Colorado Springs Utilities

among other power authorities and many, many subcontractors such as Utility Sales and Service in Longmont, CO. Contractors to transmission companies also include firms from the legal, land use, construction, financial, and other industries that support this cluster.

Training providers can vary based on which role on the team inspires you most. There are many opportunities in various occupation groups. For instance, if you prefer IT or mapping then consider training in GIS. However, if you prefer to work with your hands outdoors at great heights, consider training to become a lineman. If you prefer an office environment, public relations, governmental affairs, or business communications, consider telecommunications or public affairs (as a matter of fact, Tri-State G&T is looking for both of these positions as I write this post)

Refer to my schools post for training providers and use your web browser (not the Blogger search box) to Find keywords such as 'GIS' or 'lineman' (sorry, there's no search term for Public Affairs, since almost all colleges/universities teach communications and/or business).

In addition, some of the employers listed above have apprenticeship programs within their own companies, which means they will train you while they pay you. To find those apprenticeship programs that are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, click on any of the industries listed in the orange or blue area of this website, scroll to the bottom and enter your zip code or state, and click the "Go" sign. (You can also check out my apprenticeships post for general info)

Speaking of great heights (I digress), check out one of my favorite YouTube videos about a lineman at this link, and embedded below:

E3 Job Fair 9/25/08 in Denver

The 7th Annual E3 Job Fair will be held at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver on Thursday, September 25, 2008 from 11am to 5pm. This year, Energy will be highlighted as one of the high-growth industries.

The energy industry employs: engineers (electrical, petroleum, reservoir, mechanical, civil, etc.), scientists (all disciplines), technicians, environmental health and safety staff, accountants, administrative assistants, managers, marketing & PR representatives, HR staff, graphic designers, salespeople, real estate professionals/landmen, IT & GIS staff , security guards, roustabouts, roughnecks, gang pushers, solar installers, drillers, energy auditors, linemen, wind technicians, welders, pipefitters, mechanics, equipment operators and more! See a video from 9News of last year's E3 job fair here.

Jobseekers must be registered in Colorado Department of Labor & Employment's free job bank ConnectingColorado in order to attend. They should also prepare well in advance to meet energy employers by:

- researching the companies in advance to learn of their goals, priorities, etc. and reviewing their job listings
- asking a trusted friend, family member, mentor or career advisor to critique their resume -- jobseekers can ask workforce advisors at their local workforce center to critique their resume
- triple checking resumes for grammatical and spelling errors
- tailoring resumes to reflect what they can do for that specific company (versus what the company can do for them) - also have properly formatted electronic versions available to post or cut & paste on companies' employment/HRIS websites
- make sure email address on resumes are professional (not something like "ISleepInEveryDay@...", and check to make sure phone voice mail greetings are professional as well (i.e., don't record any long songs that will make a busy recruiter hang up instead of leaving a message)
- dressing appropriately
- watching the videos in the "Job links" post, and this one-minute "Job Fair Video"
- following up with the employer after the fair

More information about the E3 Job Fair, including a list of over 100 participating employers, will soon be available on CDLE's E3 website.

Participating Energy employers, training providers, and related organizations include:

- Aerotek
- Ascent Solar Technologies Inc.
- AVA Solar
- Baker Hughes
- Center for Transportation Safety
- CoorsTek
- DCP Midstream
- Ensign United States Drilling
- Environmental Protection Agency
- GE Wind Energy
- Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc
- Key Energy
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Petroleum Field Services
- Pioneer Natural Resources
- Pipefitters Local 208
- PrimeStar Solar
- Red Rocks Community College-Industrial Science & Operations
- SolSource
- SOS Staffing
- Tri-State Generation & Transmission
- Ulteig Engineers
- Western Area Power Administration
- Xcel Energy

Additional Energy career fairs and expos are scheduled throughout the state of Colorado this summer and fall. Refer to this poster, or my Job Fairs post for a list of dates and locations.

Tri-State Generation and Transmission

The Colorado ESSI group was honored to tour Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association's powerplant in Craig, Colorado on July 23, 2008. The following information was provided that may be helpful to you if you are considering a career in powerplants:

"Today Tri-State G & T along with most organizations has generally found the same areas of concern when looking for people to fill positions. Getting skilled workers who want to work is a challenge in today’s workforce and finding affordable housing. Our youth are the key to our future and all of us must take the time to encourage youth to become successful as adults. Also providing retraining for adults may be another way to help with staffing. What may be successful for one person may not necessarily fit another person. That is why programs through schools, Workforce Centers, apprenticeship programs, trade schools, colleges and the military are essential to getting qualified workers into the field that best fits them and the company.

Tri-State Generation and Transmission is an electric utility company with operations throughout the Rocky Mountain Region. We hire laborers, craftspeople, technicians, engineers, accountants, and a host of other professions. Tri-State’s load growth is running about 4% per year. At this rate, we are trying to build an extensive infrastructure of generation and transmission facilities, and we’re constantly on the lookout for good employees with any number of backgrounds and skills. And, with the vast growth on the western slope due to increased oil and gas activity, we’re competing for employees in a large number of high-paying positions. Frankly, the future for our youth is looking remarkably bright.

Tri-State hires Utility Workers and often promotes them within weeks of their hire. A Utility Worker’s base wage is around $40,000 per year but with overtime opportunities, these employees can earn up to $10,000 to $15,000 more a year with only basic utility-related job experience. The Utility Worker also has many promotional opportunities allowing them to earn even higher wages ($60,000 to $70,000) in our Scrubber Operator or Coal Handling Operator positions. But this unskilled worker can only go so far and cannot meet the needs of our skilled positions without either prior knowledge in skilled areas or going through our company apprenticeship programs. On the other end of the spectrum are four-year college students who usually begin their careers in white collar jobs. This leaves a large and expanding gap for employees with craft and technical skills. The shortage of skilled craft persons (I&C Technicians, Electricians, Welders, Boilermakers, Pipefitters, Millwrights, Mechanics) is so grave that these craft persons are able to pick and choose their jobs. They may start a job at the plant but as soon as a better job comes along, they drag up in the middle of the job to follow the money or a less-remote location.

The trend over the past several years was to encourage our youth to attend college. Today this may or may not be true. Many college graduates cannot get jobs right out of college – at least not in their fields. As educators, state or local representatives, and employers, we need to educate students at the high school level about the opportunity for good careers at the craft level. There are numerous jobs – jobs that were prevalent in the 1960s and 70s such as welders, electricians, millwrights, boilermakers, pipefitters, and mechanics that require talent, knowledge and education. These jobs are in high demand and are highly compensated. The military may also be an answer to obtaining skilled positions. One option may be to have Workforce Centers directly communicating with military personnel who are retiring from the military but seeking employment in the private sector. This connection with the Workforce Centers could bond the recruitment of skilled workers to employers who are in need of the various skilled military personnel. Tri-State has directly benefited from military personnel as they have applicable skills that can be transferred to our plant operations.

Even though Tri-State hires most of its workforce at the entry level position of Utility Worker, there are still requirements that must be met. Applicants must pass a basic 8th grade level math test, a 10th grade level reading test and a mechanical comprehension test before being considered for an interview. It is interesting that a lot of people do not pass these tests. Our youth need to understand the importance of taking these basic classes seriously in high school so they do not lose out on these job opportunities. If they are not made aware of the problem and do not work diligently to correct the deficient areas, they will continue to struggle. Our students should take classes in high school to ensure they have the proper skills to succeed. Basic skills such as reading, math, writing and spelling are lacking in the workforce. Teachers can do their part by recognizing and bringing to the forefront the problem with students who have difficulty spelling or communicating effectively so the student recognizes that he or she has a problem and can work on the skill prior to graduation.

Recently we had an applicant who graduated [from a technical school] as a mechanic. He was an excellent candidate for the job, however, when we reviewed his written test he had misspelled words so badly we could not understand what he was trying to communicate to us. Needless to say we did not hire him.

It is essential that employees are able to communicate effectively in writing. It also means having the ability to communicate verbally (with co-workers and supervisors). Soft Skills are also essential to the success of an employee. This includes initiative, self-motivation, reliability (being to work on time), and the ability to get along with others and work as a team. It also includes being a safe worker, drug free and having a good attitude. While these skills are not taught in high school, they can be learned. Students who are late for class and assignments, students who do the minimum to get by, and students who question authority for no good reason need to be told that, with each act of resistance and disobedience, they are building the habits that will put them at the bottom of the job pool.

Many youth today believe they should just start at the top of the company. However, they should not expect to be at the top now; in fact it is detrimental to them. They need to start at the bottom of a company, learn the systems and work hard so that when they are promoted they understand the business from the ground up. They will be more successful because they not only have the education but will have the knowledge of the business as well.

As leaders for our youth, help students understand the importance of basic skills such as reading, math, writing, and general communication. Learning and retaining these skills throughout the school years will assist them on their future endeavors with school and employment. Support youth by encouraging them to work and to work hard. Work experience is a great way for them to determine what their interests are so they can go on to a school or trade that fits their needs. Help them understand that “attitude” really is everything. Not everyone is meant for college. Trade schools or apprenticeship programs may be a better fit. The most important thing for our youth is that they enjoy the work they are doing so they will find satisfaction and fulfillment in life and become long-term, valued employees."

Mining

Mining is a critical activity in generating energy. Without it, we wouldn't have the many gadgets we use today that draw electricity, such as the computer or PDA you're using to read this blog, or the lights above you that make seeing it possible. Although this industry mines for a variety of minerals (such as gold, silver, limestone, marble and gypsum), this post will focus on the minerals used for energy: coal--which accounts for 72% of Colorado's electricity. BTW, energy is also derived from uranium and indirectly molybdenum--an agent for removing sulfur from crude oil.

The Colorado Mining Association (CMA) ranks Colorado 7th in the U.S for Coal Production and 4th in Underground Coal Mining. Their website also contains a map showing where the mines are located in Colorado. CMA also claims that the 13,800 mining jobs (5,100 direct jobs and 8,700 in mining support industries) in Colorado earn top wages: Colorado Coal Miners make an average of $93,598, compared to $42,931 for the average Colorado industrial worker. For a comprehensive description of the industry, refer to the Bureau of Labor Statistic's (BLS) Mining Industry career guide. The BLS also reports on workplace illnesses and injuries by industry sector. Their 2005 report shows Mining to have the lowest numbers of illness and injuries compared to all other industries, including construction.

I recently had the privilege of touring one of Colorado's surface coal mines, Trapper Mine, located in the remote area of Craig, Colorado (a 6-hour drive northwest of Denver, but only 50 miles from Vernal, Utah). I stress "remote" because it's important for jobseekers to know that there are few, if any, services in the immediate vicinity that cater to those accustomed to running to their local 24-hour grocery store to pick up groceries or to Village Inn for a late-night sundae. If you would miss the convenience and hustle & bustle of the busy city life, these jobs are not for you. In addition, and as Colorado natives know, the winters in Colorado are harsh. Many core occupations in the energy industry require you to work outdoors, whether it's in a blizzard 30 degrees below zero, or a scorching summer that's 125 above (or hotter if you work near equipment that emits heat). If you can't stand extreme temperatures, consider an alternate career indoors--which may require more education to make the same salary.

Housing is yet another issue to consider; it's scarce and expensive. Even though you may be able to afford a home on a miner's salary, you may have to live in temporary housing until you find a home that's suitable for you. If these are non-issues for you, and you're a hard worker willing to learn and like working with big yellow toys or explosives (or even land reclamation--for which Trapper has received numerous awards), there's a high-paying job waiting for you in mining!

Trapper Mine employs 174 people around the clock to supply coal to their neighboring powerplant, Tri-State G&T. The average wages for Trapper's mostly union employees is $26/hour (35 staff people are non-union). Jobs include those that are hard to fill: engineers, foreman, and managers; as well as entry level welders, truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, and mechanics (they hire many mechanics with AA degrees straight out of WyoTech). Entry level employees who work night shifts can promote to Monday through Friday "day jobs" which include Blast Helpers.

Trapper mines three pits (one of which is the first photo in this post), and operates three draglines. Draglines are huge excavating machines which move dirt from one pit, filling in the previous pit. Pictured below is their Molly Brown dragline.

To give you an idea of how enormous a dragline is, here are photos of all of us in just its bucket (the part that scoops up each dirtful), the Molly Brown next to a bulldozer, and a video of the Molly Brown in action.