The utility workforce continues to undergo a significant shift as experienced linemen retire and younger professionals, many of whom value flexibility and contract work over full-time employment, step into their shoes. As a result, the utility workforce is becoming a hybrid of contractors working alongside native crews.
It’s good news that new workers are entering the trade, and experienced utility employees can extend their careers post-retirement, but managing the complexities of a hybrid workforce is no easy task. The allure of contract work is often higher pay and more flexibility, meaning utilities are increasingly training grounds for individuals who may eventually transition to contract-based roles.
The Problem with Outdated Tools and Processes
Meeting the demands of day-to-day operations and unforeseen emergencies requires utilities to integrate contractors into the workforce effectively.Â
Ensuring contractors have direct access to internal information systems and mobile workforce management technology is a significant hurdle. Although security is a valid concern, the deeper issue often stems from aging systems designed for different industries, which expect regular work and hours, and a workforce composed predominantly of full-time employees.
This results in a fragmented approach. Utilities cannot fully realize their investments in technology with this workforce. Contractors are often forced to rely on paper-based processes, which isolate them from critical information and lack real-time transparency. As utilities contend with expanding infrastructure projects and an increase in the frequency and scrutiny of event restoration, manual, homegrown tools and processes are an obstacle to managing a hybrid workforce.Â
In response, many utilities are changing the narrative. They’re viewing contractors as business partners and leveraging modern technology to give contractors access to information and tools that will boost performance, improve safety and elevate job satisfaction.
Bridging the Gap: Modern Tools for a Modern Workforce
Ultimately, modern workforce management solutions should bring together native employees, frequently-used contractors, and critical mutual aid crews into a single environment. This centralized “control tower” can rapidly mobilize an entire workforce by automating the process of identifying, scheduling and integrating contractors. Such systems can streamline communication with large numbers of external providers, verify their availability and seamlessly integrate committed resources into existing operational platforms for unified tracking of personnel, work and assets.
Employees and contractors alike can use a single app to track their location in real time, deliver digital work packets complete with compatible units, automatically track time and securely access utility infrastructure maps that they need to do the job. Â
Many utilities are already recognizing this shift and proactively planning for a future where collaboration with an expanding pool of contractors is the norm. The goal is to extend the utility investments so that digital workforce management capabilities may be leveraged by all resources, regardless of their employment status.
Treating contractors like employees can pay dividends in field productivity, situational awareness and restoration time. By bringing consistency to full-time employees and business partners, utilities can overcome the generational and resource challenges that hold back higher levels of operational excellence and efficiency.