Do you enjoy working with your hands? Would you like the chance to work outdoors? Do you want to be a positive force within your community? Do you like to solve practical problems and develop real world solutions? What it takes:- Be physically fit. - Be safety conscious at all times.- Mechanical, technical and analytical thinking. - Be willing to work independently and as part of a team. - Attention to detail. Look around you...Most of our daily tasks revolve around the Energy and Utilities career cluster. They are so engrained in our lives that we hardly recognize them on a regular basis. But, if we ever lose our power or utilities in a storm, we certainly notice! We use electricity, natural gas and water for virtually everything we do. A large challenge is how to maintain our resources, distribute them and make sure that the systems which provide these services are in good working order. If you enjoy working as part of a team that powers our daily life, Energy and Utilities may be the career choice for you. After successfully completing high school, some begin their careers in Energy and Utilities with on- the-job training, such as Plant Operators, Line Worker Apprentices, and Utility Assistants. Other positions, such as CAD Operators and Operations Technicians, require specialized training or an associate’s degree through a technical or community college. Bachelor’s degrees or advanced degrees are required for Chemists, Engineering professions and some management positions. Line Workers work on or around the high voltage wires and equipment that carry electricity from the plant to your home or business. They build lines, set poles, hang transformers and connect service for customers. It is their job to keep the entire system in good repair. Line Workers also perform the task of restoring power after severe storms. Line Workers are the lifeblood of the utility business. Since Line Workers climb poles and maintain or construct power lines, being able to climb and work at great heights is an essential trait for the profession. They also inspect and test power lines and other equipment using special reading and testing devices. A Line Worker’s work can occur during normal working hours, after hours, nights and weekends and in extreme weather conditions. It is important for Line Workers to use good sound judgment and be able to work in under severe situations. Some Line Workers learn through an apprenticeship program, others start out by attending a community or technical college. On- the-Job training is essential for a Line Worker to gain the experience necessary to do his or her job well. Line Workers typically start as an assistant or helper.