How technology can help attract – and retain – electrical utility and contractor workers

Since COVID, employers in just about every industry have been scrambling for workers. This is happening particularly in the trade fields as older workers retire in greater numbers. And while electrical utilities and contractors have not had quite as many issues attracting new workers as, say, the construction industry, they too are struggling to retain workers.

One industry expert last summer stated that at least 80 percent of energy employers are having trouble hiring qualified workers. In addition, while non-retirement attrition remains consistent at 15.4 percent, almost all of those leaving (64 percent) are workers with less than five years on the job.  Ignoring for the moment the cost of recruiting and hiring new employees, the turnover of new workers means that fewer workers last long enough to be considered experienced – bad news in an industry that is at once critical and dangerous.

An often-overlooked strategy to retain electric utility workers and contractor employees is technology, particularly in the form of field data collection software. Read on to learn more about how it can keep your employees content – and on the job.

When fieldwork didn’t end in the field

In the past, electrical utility field workers often endured long days filled with physically demanding tasks. After eight hours outdoors in all kinds of weather, workers still needed to manage handwritten field data. They had to return to the office to enter handwritten notes and observations into a laptop. Once the data was digitized, workers used it to create reports for clients or supervisors. They manually inserted photos to annotate findings and added location details to pinpoint observation sites accurately.

Those using spreadsheets in the field didn’t fare much better. While the data was entered, it still was in an unfinished form that would require the manual creation of reports, along with the time-consuming tasks of annotating observations with photos and location data.

All this data entry and clerical work resulted in a workday that was not only physically demanding but also extraordinarily long. This could lead to worker dissatisfaction and burnout. To add insult to injury, contractors are often paid by the job, not the hours, so additional time is often uncompensated.

The workday ends when you get into the truck

With a field data collection platform, field teams can directly enter information from their mobile phones. They can also tag each record with photos and automatically collect geographic data during fieldwork. After the workday ends, creating a report only takes a few taps on the mobile interface. With one more click, teams can easily share the reports generated from their field findings. This allows workers to finish on time and go home without extra tasks hanging over them. Although a regular workday might not seem like a major perk, it matters more than many assume. Requiring field teams to complete hours of clerical work after field operations often drives them to quit.

Know where you’re going – and what you’re doing

Starting a new job can feel overwhelming, especially when tasks remain unclear for several days or weeks. New employees often experience frustration and doubt, particularly when working remotely without direct support or guidance. Field-based roles heighten that uncertainty due to physical distance from managers and lack of on-site mentorship. When job sites span remote areas with unreliable GPS, locating the correct site becomes even more stressful. Doubting task accuracy — or your location — can quickly reduce confidence and affect overall job satisfaction in the field.

Here again, field data collection software comes to the rescue. Using a platform such as Fulcrum, workers can download maps in advance if they’re going to places where cell coverage is iffy, so they’re able to make sure they’re in the right place no matter what. In addition, remote teams can share photos, data collected, or video with supervisors or work mentors to get assurance that they’re doing the job correctly – or get directions on what to do differently if they’re not.

In-app SOPs as a safety net

Working with electricity, especially in challenging weather conditions and remote locations, can create a dangerous situation that can leave newer workers feeling uneasy. Luckily, technology can come to the rescue in this scenario as well.

Data collection platforms such as Fulcrum guide workers with in-app procedures and reference photos during tasks. Workers receive real-time support that answers questions and reduces the risk of injury or serious incidents. Digital checklists ensure no steps are missed when following PPE requirements, safety protocols, or operational procedures. Standardizing these steps with mobile tools helps lower the chance of costly mistakes or dangerous oversights. Using a field data collection app, workers can instantly report safety concerns from any location. They document the exact issue, attach reference photos or videos, and enable fast follow-up and remediation.

The takeaway

Using digital field operations software such as Fulcrum can have a profound impact on electrical utilities and contractor field teams by reducing workday length, simplifying job functions, and enhancing safety, leaving employers better able to attract – and retain – the skilled workers they need to get the job done.

Interested in finding out how Fulcrum can be your ally in keeping your skilled workers happy and on the job? Sign up for a no-obligation phone call to learn how to get started!