Electricity Generation Worker
What is the work like?
As an electricity generation worker, you would operate and look after the equipment that produces electricity in gas, oil or coal-fired, nuclear or hydro-electric power stations.
Your main duties would include:
- operating machinery on the shop floor, or running it remotely from a control room
- diagnosing and repairing faults
- followingmaintaining safety procedures and environmental good practice
- handling the materials that the plant uses to generate electricity
- carrying out routine equipment testing
- putting contingency plans into practice, for example isolating or shutting down a system in an emergency.
You could also work in a power station as a member of a maintenance crew, repairing all the mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment in the plant.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not always need qualifications to work in electricity generation, although employers usually ask for a good standard of education and you may have an advantage with some GCSEs (A-C) or a similar level of qualification. You should check entry requirements with individual employers.
You will often get into this type of work through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
For an apprenticeship you will usually need four GCSEs (A-C), including maths, English, and another relevant subject such as science, engineering or design and technology.
If you are not joining the industry through an Apprenticeship, you will find it useful to have previous experience or qualifications in electrical engineering and maintenance.
What further training and development can I do?
You will be trained by your employer, through a mixture of learning on the job and taking short courses at a training centre. Your training will usually include the chance to achieve the following work-based qualifications:- NVQ Levels 1, 2 and 3 in Engineering Technology Operations
- NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in Engineering Technology Maintenance.
See the Energy & Utility Skills website for more details and a list of training providers.
You could also take distance learning courses in subjects such as high voltage safety, through AFAQ-ETA – see their website for details.
Many employers will want you to be registered in an appropriate safety passport scheme before you can work on site. Relevant safety passport schemes for electricity generation include:
- Basic Electrical Safety Competence scheme (BESC)
- Client/Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG) Safety Passport.
See the Energy & Utility Skills Register and Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) websites for more details.
Where can I go for more information?
185 Park StreetBankside
London
SE1 9DY
Tel: 020 7922 1630
Church Lane
Kings Langley
Hertfordshire
WD4 8JP
Tel: 01923 260000
NASEC Administration: 01923 402155
London
SW1Y 4AR
Tel: 020 7930 9390
1011 Stratford Road
Shirley
Solihull
B90 4BN
Tel: 0845 077 9922
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Apprentices usually earn between £10,000 and £15,000 a year.
- After training, salaries are usually between £17,000 and £21,000.
- The most experienced workers can earn up to £40,000 or more.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your working environment can vary from clean control rooms, to repair workshops. Some work may be in hot or cramped conditions. You will normally wear protective clothing such as overalls, hard hats and safety boots, and you must follow strict safety rules at all times.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good practical skills
- the ability to find and repair faults
- an understanding of technical drawings and manuals
- basic knowledge of physics and maths, to understand the principles of electricity
- teamworking ability
- the ability to work without supervision
- good communication skills
- respect for health and safety and the environment.
What opportunities are there?
You could work for one of the 42 national and regional electricity generating companies. Jobs may be advertised in the local press, Jobcentre Plus or employers' own websites.
With experience, you could progress to control and instrumentation engineer, operations or maintenance technician, or into a supervisory job. You could also choose to study further and become an electrical engineer.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and further reading (links open new window):
Association of Electricity Producers
Energy Networks Association
JustUtilities.net
Utility Job Search
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
Contact an adviser
Email
Call back
or phone: 0800 100 900
Bilingual advisers available
Face-to-face advice
