What happens in ops, stays in ops?

[nrlien]

Sorry for the goofy subject line. I have a buddy that works for entergy, he said that he is pretty much stuck being an AO because AO's are in such high demand. It would be tough for him to get licensed to become an SRO because of it. He also said that moving outside of ops (going into training, for example), is pretty damn tough too.

I want to keep my options open, but I did get hired as an AO. Does this mean I may as well shut the door on moving to training, maintenance, or perhaps the corporate side later down the line?

Thanks to anyone who has any insight or stories. I have nothing at all against OPS, but I like to know what to expect career-wise.

[retired nuke]

AOs at my Entergy plant are progressing into license after 3-4 yrs. SRO is offered to the best of them after a few years on the boards. We have had plant managers that started as AO, I think, including our current one. 

Disclaimer - I'm not in Ops

[kp88]

I have a buddy that works for entergy, he said that he is pretty much stuck being an AO because AO's are in such high demand.

Aux Operators are in high demand because they become Reactor Operators and Senior Reactor Operators.  Once you've got that experience and license, many other departments will be more than happy to have you in their group.

[Fermi2]

Aux Operators are in high demand because they become Reactor Operators and Senior Reactor Operators.  Once you've got that experience and license, many other departments will be more than happy to have you in their group.

Not the point, yes most departments love having Licensed Personnel working for them, but in most cases plant manning cannot support releasing them. It'll be interesting in how the new Fatigue Rule affects this. What I juust said about, and the Fatigue rule are two of the reasons why I'm planning on exiting the utility portion of the industry.

Mike

[kp88]

Not the point, yes most departments love having Licensed Personnel working for them, but in most cases plant manning cannot support releasing them. It'll be interesting in how the new Fatigue Rule affects this. What I juust said about, and the Fatigue rule are two of the reasons why I'm planning on exiting the utility portion of the industry.

Mike

I disagree.  That is the point.  Regardless of the fatigue rule, plants will want to have licensed personnel in Training, Planning, Maintenance, and what ever else.  There are numerous opportunities for these people.
Unfortunately, if you want to transfer as an SRO to the local hydro plant, that's going to be somewhat difficult.   

[Fermi2]

Wrong, I'm already seeing it. They'll hire contractors for those positions. Currently plants all over the country are calling their Operators back to Ops. Mostly due to the fatigue rule.

[thenuttyneutron]

Sorry for the goofy subject line. I have a buddy that works for entergy, he said that he is pretty much stuck being an AO because AO's are in such high demand. It would be tough for him to get licensed to become an SRO because of it. He also said that moving outside of ops (going into training, for example), is pretty damn tough too.

I want to keep my options open, but I did get hired as an AO. Does this mean I may as well shut the door on moving to training, maintenance, or perhaps the corporate side later down the line?

Thanks to anyone who has any insight or stories. I have nothing at all against OPS, but I like to know what to expect career-wise.

This makes no sense.  RO and SRO positions will need more people because of the new fatigue rules.  With the job market being as it is, the utilities will have plenty of qualified applicants for the EO jobs.  They require no license.

The management at my plant are motivated to get as many EOs to go up for a license.  They had 6 opening in my class and I was the only one to go.  It takes about 18 months to train a licensed operator and not everyone will make it.  At my plant only a fully qualified EO can go up for RO class and that takes about 3 years from hire date to being fully qualified.  If this is how it works at your plant, they may be trying to force your friend to go RO.

[Smooth Operator]

My plant hired 20, about 12 are left not even 2 years in.

[kp88]

Currently plants all over the country are calling their Operators back to Ops. Mostly due to the fatigue rule.

No, plants "all over the country" are not locking auxiliary operators into AO positions.

[Paul]

Sounds like a load of crap. They are pressing for AOs' to become ROs'.