Maintenance Electricians
Maintenance electricians are in high demand these days. You can earn a significant amount of money if you are employed in a highly rewarding industry. Offshore oil rigs, nuclear reactors, and thermal power plants offer some of the best employment opportunities around. Our hunger for power ensures a career in the utilities for a long time into the future.
Nuclear Reactors
Maintenance electricians are part and parcel of nuclear power. You will need a special certification to earn a position in a nuclear power station. Another way of entering the nuclear field is through an apprenticeship. There are two types of apprenticeships available for nuclear reactors.
One type of apprenticeship is available for experienced maintenance electricians where they require little training and may be promoted to sophisticated parts of the reactor. The second type of apprenticeship is for novice electricians where they do basic wiring and repair jobs in the outer sections of the facility.
The training regimen includes education about nuclear reactors, radiation risks and precautions, as well as plenty of safety procedures. You may advance to doing the most sophisticated repairs once you have spent a few years on job and have understood the basics. Certifications are also available once you have passed the preliminary training period.
Power Stations
Maintenance electricians form the core of power plants. They work in every type of facility associated with power generation, and also do line repairs. You will need special skill sets to perform any of these duties. Apprenticeship is the only way of entering in this field after completing a basic certification in electrical repairs and maintenance.
If you have already worked at a power plant then you may not undergo this training. There are many types of power plants based on the mode of generation. Some generate power from water by building dams. Others rely on coal and natural gas to produce electricity.
You will have an opportunity to choose between any of the specialities available in generation. You can start with basic repairs of transformers and maintenance of generators in the power distribution points. You can later advance to maintenance facilities inside the main power generation unit.
Offshore Oil Rigs
There is always a need for maintenance electricians at offshore oil rigs. These are large operations with a self-sustained power generation system, sophisticated electrical appliances, and drilling equipment. You will need prior experience of working in an oil rig or related part of the industry before being accepted into this kind of role.
There are certifications available that can enhance your chances of employment at an offshore oil rig. You can start an apprenticeship onshore, do your safety certification, then graduate to working offshore. This will enable you to learn the basics of this trade. You can ask for transfer to an offshore facility if your company maintains such a site or you can apply for a position somewhere else.
There are many employment opportunities for maintenance electricians. It’s as wide as your view in most cases. A dependence on power, and a reliance on technology means electricity isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
