Building a power plant and running one require different people. Construction brings turbine erection crews, boilermakers, high-pressure welders and cable crews in large numbers for a few years. Operations needs a compact team of operators and maintenance technicians who will stay with the plant for decades. Between them sits commissioning, with its own specialists. Knowing the technical roles for power plant construction and maintenance, and what each one does, helps contractors, utilities and job seekers plan. Here is an overview.
Construction roles
Mechanical erection
- Turbine and generator erection specialists who set, align and assemble gas and steam turbines and generators, often under OEM supervision
- Boilermakers and pressure part erectors for boilers and heat recovery steam generators
- Mechanical fitters for pumps, fans, compressors and auxiliary equipment
- Riggers and crane crews for heavy lifts of turbines, generators, transformers and modules
Welding and piping
- High-pressure welders qualified for alloy steels used in high-energy steam piping, which often require preheat and post-weld heat treatment
- Pipe fitters for steam, feedwater, cooling water and fuel systems
- Heat treatment technicians for controlled post-weld heat treatment
Electrical and instrumentation
- Electricians and cable crews for power and control cabling
- High-voltage specialists for transformers, switchgear and switchyards
- Instrument technicians for plant instrumentation and control systems
Civil and structural
Concrete and formwork crews, steel erectors and building trades for foundations, turbine pedestals, structures and buildings.
Commissioning roles
Commissioning engineers by system, electrical and I&C commissioning technicians, protection relay testers, control system specialists, chemical cleaning and steam blowing teams, and OEM field engineers. These roles are covered in commissioning workforce planning for power generation projects.
Operations roles
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Control room operator | Operates the plant from the control system |
| Field operator | Carries out local checks, rounds and equipment operations |
| Shift supervisor | Leads the shift and coordinates operations and maintenance |
| Chemist or chemistry technician | Manages water and steam chemistry |
| Plant engineer | Supports performance, reliability and technical issues |
Maintenance roles
- Mechanical maintenance technicians for turbines, pumps, fans, valves and auxiliaries, with rotating equipment skills described in rotating equipment maintenance skills and workforce planning
- Electrical maintenance technicians for generators, transformers, switchgear and motors
- I&C technicians for instrumentation, control systems and protection
- Maintenance planners for preventive programs and outages
- Outage specialists brought in for major inspections and overhauls
Workforce numbers through the lifecycle
Construction workforces on a large power plant can run into the thousands at peak, while the operating team that follows is typically a small fraction of that size. Outages temporarily bring in large maintenance crews again. Workforce planning should treat these as different workforces with different sourcing strategies: project-based recruitment for construction and outages, careful long-term hiring and training for operations.
Safety-critical competencies
Power plants combine high voltages, high-pressure steam, rotating machinery and heavy lifts. Authorized switching, isolation and lockout, steam system safety, confined space entry into boilers and condensers, and lifting competence are essential for many roles, and clients usually verify them before deployment.
Skills that are particularly valued
High-pressure alloy welding with heat treatment knowledge, turbine alignment and assembly, high-voltage switching and protection testing, and control system expertise are among the most sought-after skills. Water chemistry knowledge is essential for long boiler and HRSG life.
Moving between construction and operations
Some construction and commissioning personnel move into operations and maintenance roles, bringing valuable knowledge of how the plant was built. Planning these transitions helps new plants start operation with experienced teams. The overall support structure is described in engineering and workforce support for power plant projects.
Power plant roles from Apex Core Engineering
Apex Core Engineering supplies power plant construction trades, high-pressure welders, E&I technicians, commissioning support and maintenance technicians through its skilled manpower supply service. Job seekers in these trades can find openings on the careers and recruitment page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a boilermaker in power plant construction?
A tradesperson who erects and assembles boilers, heat recovery steam generators and other pressure parts.
Why do power plants need heat treatment technicians?
Alloy steels used in high-energy steam piping often require controlled post-weld heat treatment to achieve the required properties.
What does a control room operator do?
Operates the plant from the control system, monitoring conditions and making adjustments to keep the plant running safely and efficiently.
Which power plant maintenance roles are hardest to fill?
I&C technicians, high-voltage specialists and experienced turbine maintenance technicians are often in short supply.
Request power plant technical personnel from Apex Core Engineering.