Education
Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
Building North Carolina’s Future Workforce
Power your future with a rewarding career in the electric cooperative industry! Developed through a partnership between North Carolina community colleges and North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, discover your next career through the pathway examples featured on this webpage.
Select a college from the map below to view industry‑driven training through programs that will equip you with the skills needed to launch a meaningful career in the co-op workforce.
North Carolina Community Colleges
Career Pathways
The pathways featured on this website are designed to help you discover rewarding career options, understand how different roles contribute to the electric utility industry, and visualize potential paths for your growth and advancement. Whether you are just starting out on your job search or looking to take the next step in your career, these pathways can help guide your journey.
Career structures, job titles, responsibilities, qualifications, and advancement opportunities may vary among electric cooperatives based on their size, operational needs, organizational structure, and business priorities. Additionally, some cooperatives may have other required technical training programs. The information presented here should be viewed as a guide rather than a definitive representation of any specific cooperative’s career framework.
Every cooperative is unique, and your career journey may look different depending on the cooperative and opportunities available.
This career path provides technical troubleshooting, end-user support, and compliance. It bridges the gap between complex information technology and the unique, high-stakes operational demands of energy environments, helping maximize organization operations.
1
Service Desk Technician I
Qualifications at a glance:
Experience Requirements
Entry Level: 0-2 years of IT support, infrastructure, development, or data experience.
Core Competencies
Basic IT troubleshooting, Customer technical support, Knowledge of operating systems and hardware, Help desk ticketing systems.
2
Service Desk Technician II
Qualifications at a glance:
Education
Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
Preferred: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, Cisco certifications (CCNA), Microsoft or Azure certifications, AWS Cloud certifications
Experience Requirements
Mid-Level: 2–4 years of IT support, infrastructure, development, or data experience.
Core Competencies
Network infrastructure management, Application support and system configuration, Data analysis and reporting tools, Software development or scripting.
3
Service Desk Technician III
Qualifications at a glance:
Education
Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
Preferred: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, Cisco certifications (CCNA), Microsoft or Azure certifications, AWS Cloud certifications.
Experience Requirements
Advanced/Leadership: 4-8 years of IT support, infrastructure, development, or data experience.
Core Competencies
Enterprise network architecture, Cloud infrastructure management, Data architecture and data engineering, Application integration and system design.
Lineworkers (also called linemen or line technicians) are essential professionals in the energy industry who build, maintain, and repair the electrical grid. Their work ensures that homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure have safe and reliable power. Lineworkers manage the large-scale infrastructure ensuring high-voltage electricity flows safely from power generation stations to homes and businesses.
1
Apprentice Lineman
Qualifications at a glance:
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience Requirements
Entry Level: Little to no direct experience required, but mechanical aptitude, outdoor work experience, or line school training is helpful.
Core Competencies
Basic electrical distribution knowledge, Safe tool operation, Pole climbing and bucket truck operation fundamentals.
2
Journeyman Lineman
Qualifications at a glance:
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience Requirements
Mid-Level: Completion of apprenticeship hours, safety milestones, and demonstrated competency in lineworker skills.
Core Competencies
Installing transformers and line hardware; Reading construction prints and system diagrams; Troubleshooting outages
3
Crew Leader
Qualifications at a glance:
Education
Lineworker training program or technical school certificate in electrical linework. Preferred: Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), OSHA safety training, CPR / First Aid certification
Experience Requirements
Advanced: Successful completion of all apprenticeship requirements and demonstrated ability to safely perform linework independently.
Core Competencies
Advanced system troubleshooting, Switching procedures and system protection, Crew coordination and job planning
A Combustion Turbine Plant Technician is responsible for the safe, reliable, and compliant operation and maintenance of gas turbine generators and other power generation systems. This role balances daily operations, routine inspections, and preventative troubleshooting to optimize power generation performance.
1
Combustion Turbine Plant Technician I
Qualifications at a glance:
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preferred: Associate degree in Engineering/Industrial Technology, Military Technical School, or related field experience
Experience Requirements
Entry Level: 0-3 years experience working in a power plant or industrial environement
Core Competencies
Technical, electrical, and mechanical aptitude, trouble shooting, teamwork, strong communication skills
2
Combustion Turbine Plant Technician II
Qualifications at a glance:
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preferred: Associate degree in Engineering/Industrial Technology, Military Technical School, or related field experience
Experience Requirements
Mid-Level: 3-6 years experience working in a power plant or industrial environment
Core Competencies
Technical, electrical, and mechanical aptitude, trouble shooting, teamwork, strong communication skills
3
Sr. Combustion Turbine Plant Technician
Qualifications at a glance:
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preferred: Associate degree in Engineering/Industrial Technology, Military Technical School, or related field experience
Experience Requirements
Advanced: 6+ years experience working in a power plant or industrial environment
Core Competencies
Advanced knowledge of combustion turbine operations; Advanced troubleshooting and diagnostics; Critical thinking and root cause analysis, sound judgement when plant events occur; Safety leadership and accountability
A substation operations career pathway in the energy industry focuses on the safe, reliable transmission and distribution of electricity through substation facilities that transform voltage levels and manage power flow across the grid. This pathway offers progression from entry-level technical roles to advanced operational positions.
1
Substation Apprentice I
Qualifications at a glance:
Education
High school diploma or equivalent (on-the-job training is usually provided)
Experience Requirements
Entry Level: 1-2 years experience
Core Competencies
Basic electrical and mechanical knowledge, Ability to use hand tools and testing equipment, Understanding electrical safety practices.
2
Substation Apprentice II
Qualifications at a glance:
Education
High school diploma or equivalent (on-the-job training is usually provided)
Preferred: Technical training in electrical systems, power systems, or utility operations
Experience Requirements
Intermediate Level: 2-4 years experiece
Core Competencies
Substation equipment troubleshooting; Electrical system maintenance and repair; Understanding of transmission and distribution systems.
3
Substation Specialist
Qualifications at a glance:
Education
High school diploma or equivalent (on-the-job training is usually provided)
Preferred: Technical training in electrical systems, power systems, or utility operations, Valid NC Commercial Driver’s License (CDL Class A) or ability to obtain within a given timeframe
Experience Requirements
Advanced Level: 4-6 years experience
Core Competencies
Advanced troubleshooting of substation systems; Knowledge of voltage regulation and fault current analysis; Coordination of line protection devices; Ability to lead complex maintenance and repair activities.
4
Senior Substation Specialist
Qualifications at a glance:
Education
High school diploma or equivalent (on-the-job training is usually provided)
Preferred: Technical training in electrical systems, power systems, or utility operations, Valid NC Commercial Driver’s License (CDL Class A) or ability to obtain within a given timeframe
Experience Requirements
Senior Level: 6-10+ years experience
Core Competencies
Advanced troubleshooting substation systems; Knowledge of voltage regulation and fault current analysis; Coordination of line protection devices; Ability to lead complex maintenance and repair activities.