We’ve all heard about intense labor shortages, and that’s true in maintenance positions as much as anywhere, with more than 600,000 installation, maintenance, and repair job openings expected each year between now and 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Although this speaks to the need for effective training and development programs to attract and retain talent to the field, it’s equally important to focus on how existing electrical technicians can elevate their skills and mindset to stand out.

That’s the message that Mose Ramieh, vice president of business development at CBS Field Services, delivers in a recent article in NETA World, where he urged power system maintenance technicians to be the technicians that can be relied on above all others. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you have more technical knowledge than others. It’s about how you approach your work, your professional relationships, and your growth to become someone who is trusted and relied upon.

There are several essential qualities and actions that will set you apart:

  • Appearance and professionalism
  • Report quality and accuracy
  • Ownership and initiative
  • Tool and equipment maintenance
  • Coachability and learning
  • Communicating challenges
  • Problem solving and persistence
  • Time management and focusing on now
  • Adaptability and ethics

First impressions matter, so present yourself as polished and ready to work. That goes for your service truck or van, too, so keep your space neat and orderly. Look like the professional you want to be seen as.

That same kind of polish applies to your test reports. Customers are paying for a high-quality, complete report, not just your time on-site, so make those reports thorough and accurate. Spending the extra five to 10 minutes needed on-site to enter the data correctly saves hours after the job is over and could even help you avoid a revisit to obtain missing data.

Be mindful of the care you take with your test equipment as well. Proper maintenance and care of your tools is critical, so be sure to store, transport, and use them correctly so that you can continue to do your job effectively.

There’s Always Room for Improvement

Take initiative and don’t wait to be told what to do. Every company needs more technicians who can take on a project and accomplish responsibilities without requiring detailed instruction, so know what your processes are and do everything you can to know your customers and projects.

Even the most experienced technicians can improve, so don’t assume you know it all. Be open to advice and willing to learn. You can learn a great deal by observing more experienced technicians, especially during challenging situations, and maintaining the good habits you pick up.

Sometimes, those lessons learned are not only about troubleshooting skills but also about how to communicate with frustrated customers. It’s important to communicate effectively and immediately when things aren’t going as planned. Transparency is important in managing expectations and finding solutions.

Likewise, know when you need to reach out for support. Troubleshooting sometimes requires input from others — whether it’s figuring out why circuit breakers are failing, handling complex procedures, or articulating the challenge. Embrace challenges and have a can-do attitude when things get tough. Though situations can certainly get complicated, remember that the simple answer is often the best.

Standards Aren’t Just for Equipment

Time management is critical for an effective technician. Whatever it is that you want to put off until tomorrow — don’t. Not only does procrastination increase stress and create more complex problems later, but the universe will also inevitably throw an emergency job or some other urgent request at you that will cause delays. Make use of any downtime you have by making sure you’re prepared for the next project on a job site.

Maintain high ethical standards. Report data accurately and admit when errors have been made, and you will build long-term trust with your company and customers. One of these days — if you haven’t already — you will cause an unplanned outage. Don’t try to hide or deflect. It will come back to bite you.

And just when you think you have it all figured out — expect it all to change. Embrace that change and use it as another opportunity to learn and grow.

Our NETA-certified technicians understand what it means to be the technician that customers can depend on to address all their electrical power distribution needs. Want to join our team? Contact us if you are looking for a career in power engineering services/studies, electrical testing, electrical circuit breaker and switchgear repair, or electrical services sales for industrial and utilities companies.

For more information about our services, to discuss your requirements, or to request an estimate or quotation, contact us.

Read the full NETA World article here.

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