Natural Gas Utility Workforces are Evolving Fast
You probably don’t realize it, but you used a lot of natural gas today.
That doesn’t just include the obvious stuff, like when you turned on your gas stove to make dinner or when your water heater kicked on to heat the water for your shower. Statistically, about half the electricity used in your home came from natural gas. Further removed, the food you ate was almost certainly grown with fertilizer made from natural gas and any medicine you took was developed and produced with natural gas. That concert, sporting event or restaurant you visited over the weekend – that was fueled by natural gas too.
That safe, affordable and reliable natural gas made its way to your home – and to the power plant providing electricity to your home, and the fertilizer plant, and 77.7 million other homes, businesses, factories, and other destinations – through more than 2.3 million miles of natural gas distribution and service pipelines. Those pipelines are created, monitored, and maintained by a workforce of dedicated natural gas utility employees. As the needs of our system change, that workforce is changing with it.
AGA’s President and CEO, Karen Harbert, recently spoke on a panel hosted by Punchbowl News where she discussed what this change looks like on the ground. As part of the workforce nears a well-earned retirement, a new generation of Americans will be stepping into their shoes – but the jobs they’ll fill are shifting with this new generation.
“These are not the jobs of your father’s utility,” said Harbert. “We’re looking for drone operators and satellite operators and people who can code. This industry continues to modernize and help our nation meet our ambitious energy and environmental goals, and a new slate of jobs is coming along with that innovation.”
The energy system is changing fast. The natural gas industry alone has driven down emissions from our distribution system by 70% since 1990. Part of this success is attributable to the fact that we’ve tripled the mileage of pipelines made from more modern materials during that time period. Another part of it however, is taking advantage of advanced new technologies to help prevent issues. Advanced drone technology allows for covering extensive ground in minimal time to help keep systems safe and working as they should.
Satellite operators can look for potential issues and call in the drone operators, and their colleagues with vehicle mounted sensors – or, sometimes, the traditional handhelds when required. By narrowing down the areas that need attention, satellites can provide an invaluable service.
The people doing these jobs are smart, dedicated, hardworking and talented.
“These are really interesting jobs – and so we’re partnering with community colleges, because not everyone needs a four-year degree to be successful in this business,” Karen concluded.
By expanding the pool of smart and talented young people we’re looking at, we’ve been able to bring in a growing workforce of young professionals starting life-long careers serving their communities while making good money doing it. If that sounds appealing to you, check out your local natural gas utility – chances are they’re hiring!