| Profile con't. Locate techs are constatly dealing with multiple projects, all having specific deadlines, but for the most part, it is the one component of the job that keeps them satisfied. "You are always pushing yourself to be better, to be more efficient at getting around your region, to get more tickets done and done safely. It's like being a juggler on a tight rope, you really don't worry about the number of items you are juggling; it's the fall from the tight rope that is of greatest concer. it's all about balance," says Sayce. When asked about their acceptance by the excavating community, all agreed that they were viewed no differently then a male locator. Once they had proven their knowledge and accuracy for locating, they felt accepted by those for whom they mark and protect. The women agreed that their gender rarely creates a problem in the field. Sandy Crespo from NOVEC stated, "Generally, I am treated well and with respect, but then I command it. I don't let the excavators push me around." When in the field in Virginia, Debbie Campbell of NOVEC says, "Homeowners think it's neat actually meeting Miss Utility, (the Damamge Prevention Program in Virginia) and she IS a woman! Pamela Newman of TBE Group stated, "As a woman in the field, men don't usually show their 'Male Ego' part once respect is earned." Pamela says she tries to educate as she works, (peers, homeowners, contractors, regulators) and feels that you must " walk the walk and talk the talk." Having spoken with Mike Bell, the President of NULCA, he feels that for women there is opportunity in the locate industry. "I know of a number of companies (including On Target) who work hard to recruit women. When taking out job ads employers need to be cautious about how they present the job in order to attract more women applicants. Companies need to illustrate the skills needed to be successful in this line of work and not any stereotypical job requirements like, must be capable of lifting 100 lbs." Bell adds, "This is a great career path for a lot of people, including women and the industry needs to continue its effort to bring more women in." When asked what they would change about locating practices if they were in control, most agreed with Kim Neff and Vanessag Childers of TBE Group, that there has to be a better way of burying the utilities. Suggestions from central trenching to mandated tracer wires for all fiber optics were the most common. The second most popular response to this question was that maps be updated and upgraded regularly. both Debbie Campbell and Monica Stricker work for NOVEC and they felt that the practice of common grounding should be eliminated to improve locate accuracy. Finally, the women also agreed that it would be nice if more people in the industry were better educated as to what techs actually do each and every day to be successful. As Stricker said," Working as a locate tech for an electric company is in my DNA. Both my mother and father worked for one. Locating is truly a profession both within the utility or by contract and it requires skill, training and involvement to be successful." It was apparent from speaking with these ladies that the position of a locate tech has further to go vefore it reaches the level of respect it deserves as a 'professional" position. Perhaps one way to help assist raising techs to this status is through nationally recognized standards testing and evaluation, (field and classroom settings)such as those recently announced by NULCA. A combination of training and required attendance at professional conferences shuch as the Underground Safety or Damage Prevention convention should also account for "points" to help maintain a 'professional status.' I would encourage the industry to model preformance evaluations similarly to the eduation system where teachers take professional credits annually. Initially, there should be limited credits earned for conferences and more emphasis placed on the classroom and field-testing skills. Veteran locators (after five years) would likely benefit more from conferences, which could go towards professional 'points.' It is clear that the locate profession will continue to evolve and define itself. There is certainly equal opportunity for women in this field based on the informaton gathered. As this 'profession' works to adopt standards that dqual other utility type poeitions, the exposure through education and training will be necessary to guide and encourage more women and men into this challenging field. Questions or comments, please contact Catherine at [email protected] or visit www.geocities.com/njchit_chat. |
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| Published in the May 2002 NULCA President's Newsletter |