fiveeleven,
That is some great information, especially the numbers. But if may ask you, and anyone else that would like to chime in, what would be the title for the positions you speak of? I am assuming, and maybe way off, but Tech would not be consider in these types. Would a Specialist be in this realm, I have also seen staff and other terms of similar nature? Personally speaking I dont care if tech is in the title, it is somewhat a moot for me since I have officially qualified to take the exam.
As for the EP comments, judging from my mentors past experience and stating that a lot of EP groups are 1 or 2 people, it does seem the plants are expanding that to some extent. The last one I inquired about had 4+manager and looking for another, so it seems they are starting to beef up the groups. I have seen similar type occurrences at my current employer as well. Certainly seem the industry is putting much more focus on the EP side of the house, of course a direct result of the Fukushima.
On a quasi related note, how will the plant closings out west effect the current job market in terms of plant hiring? I would assume the is a rare influx in the amount of personnel looking for employment, but again I am not an expert in these type of things.
SCMasterchef,
To your comments, finishing my CHP is top priority and I will at least sit for Part II before I would start anything new unless absolutely necessary. I have been dedicating time on the exam for over 2 years, and I am not going to give up on that now. Especially since like you say it will open up many doors. Which is why I am just starting to look and determine the best path forward. No need to rush into this, whenever the next move comes, it is for the long term so I would like it to be the right one. At this moment, if something good pops up I look into it to, but the opportunity will be more open once I have the designation. In that regard I may ask for some more information on the recruiter comment, I have never used nor looked into one in the past.
Again thank you for you time.
Again I thank you.