| Since privatisation throughout the 1990's the | | | | involved from the initial the concept and detail of |
| utilities industry in the UK has undergone radical | | | | projects and designs through to implementation, |
| change. This period of transformation is essentially | | | | testing and handover. Opportunities exist in the |
| characterized by large-scale consolidation into | | | | Utilities industry for all forms of electrical, |
| larger multinational groupings, large investments in | | | | mechanical, civil and geotechnical engineering jobs |
| IT and infrastructure along with further | | | | with a range of responsibilities including:o |
| deregulation. Whereas Utility companies used to | | | | Identifying customer requirements;o Designing |
| generally specialize in one of the three exclusive | | | | systems and products;o Reading design |
| segments (electricity, gas or water), as the UK | | | | specifications and technical drawings;o Researching |
| market opened up so companies involved in one | | | | suitable solutions and estimating costs and |
| speciality began developing their businesses in | | | | timescales;o Making models and prototypes of |
| other utility segments. | | | | products;o Working to BS and EN standards;o |
| There are literally hundreds of important positions | | | | Liaising with others in the design team;o Liaising |
| waiting to be filled within this multi billion pound | | | | with clients and contractors;o Attending meetings |
| sector. The range of opportunities at extremely | | | | on site;o Designing and conducting tests;o |
| competitive wage rates within the Utilities Industry | | | | Recording, analysing and interpreting test data;o |
| is huge. Opportunities in Environmental science, | | | | Proposing modifications and retesting products;o |
| construction, design, project management and | | | | Qualifying the final product or system;o Servicing |
| quantity surveying as well as a range of | | | | and maintaining equipment;o Preparing product |
| management, administrative and sales roles all | | | | documentation, writing reports and giving |
| span the industry. Perhaps the most wide-ranging | | | | presentations;o Monitoring a product in use so as |
| type of position though is that of an engineer. | | | | to improve on future design |
| For example, there are approximately 300 | | | | These days, increasing numbers of engineers of all |
| telecoms-related employers in the UK alone, for | | | | persuasions are supporting power utilities and |
| example BT, Cable and Wireless, AOL and Orange | | | | undertaking work that is related to sustainable |
| all looking for appropriately skilled engineers. The | | | | energy. Concern over the safety and sustainability |
| nuclear industries in a number of countries including | | | | of current energy sources has led to |
| the UK and China are looking to recruit thousands | | | | developments in alternative energy such as wind, |
| of construction and engineering specialists over | | | | waves and tidal power. This new front has |
| the next few years. | | | | opened the door for many more career |
| In the course of their jobs most electrical | | | | opportunities related to environmental science and |
| engineers will enjoy working in a multi-disciplinary | | | | matters environment related. Many chemical |
| project team, including engineers from other | | | | engineers now even call themselves environmental |
| specialities as well as architects, marketing and | | | | engineers due to their commitment to sustainable |
| sales staff, manufacturers, technicians and | | | | energy production. |
| customer service personnel. Often engineers are | | | | |