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Electricity Generation Worker

Do you want to become a Electricity Generation Worker? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Electricity generation workers install, repair, operate and maintain the machinery and apparatus involved in the generation of electricity.

They may be operators, craft workers or technicians and will specialise in one of three areas:

• Mechanical operations which involve dealing with machinery and plant - such as boilers, turbines, pumps and valves, producing power for generators.
• Electrical work which involves dealing with electrical plant - such as generators, transformers and switchgear including onward transmission of electricity to distributing companies.
• Control and instrumentation (C & I) where they would be maintaining and operating electronic equipment that controls and monitors the operation of a power station.

They usually work 37 to 40 hours a week, plus overtime. Shifts, weekend, public holidays and on-call work may be required. They work in power stations, in a clean, light control room, in a workshop or directly with the plant.

Salaries range from about £15,000 to around £30,000 for senior technicians.

They should:

• have normal colour vision (for electrical/electronic work)
• be able to pay attention to detail
• have a methodical approach to fault-finding
• be able to use their initiative and work alone or in a team
• have good practical skills.

Most electricity generation workers work for generating companies, which could be involved in producing electricity from any of the following sources of energy: coal, oil, gas, nuclear power, wind, wave, or hydro-electric power.

It is possible to enter as a trainee straight from school. Apprenticeships may be available with training on day or block release at college. Employers may expect three to five GCSEs/S grades (A-E/1-5) preferably including English, maths, science and technology. An Intermediate GNVQ/GSVQ Level II in a relevant subject or a BTEC first are good alternatives.

With further training and study, promotion may be to technician engineer (TechEng) in a supervisory post.

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