Damn it EB, you got me to chime in!
From my perspective, Diablo, (mentioned above), is the front runner in compensation for the industry’s RP/HP technicians, they also have a very unique hiring practice, (they get what they want, not what they get)! Looks like the Spring season is most definitely going to bring some interesting staffing challenges for all of the utilities, all but one!
What Percentage should the Technicians Receive; Let the numbers do the talking!
Diablo's temp staff receives 100% of the utilities rate and usually staffs 100%, (with another 100%+ waiting in the wings)! How many Health Physics OE's have we read from Diablo over the last decade? How many regulatory issues have we read pertaining to Diablo’s Health Physics program? Besides the compensation, I've heard that the utility maintains an atmosphere that is GENUINELY cordial, cooperative, friendly and professional which is a VERY RARE EXCEPTION in the Industry today. I'm not sure of the actual returnee rate, but I've heard unverified rumors of 100%! How about the experience and technical level of the up coming staff, (collectively and the per capita average)? The baby of the bunch is probably going to come it at 15+ years experience. I'm not sure who created this relationship, but it is refreshing to finally see a program maintained under a real professional venue! It's probably just a California thing, and wont work anywhere else!
Now the others side: The technicians receive approximately 70% of the total billing rate and most facilities find themselves looking to fill a staffing deficit of 30% at crunch time, (some at a much higher rate)! Resume reviews have become fairly simple, 4000 or 6000 hours and not much more! Of course there is a plethora of excuses that get assigned to the staffing situation; the primary excuse being the number of available Technicians in the industry, (compensation packages and facility atmosphere are ridiculous considerations)! Is there an actual shortage of technicians in the industry? Obviously the answer is yes, but not to the extent that some advertise. The factual statement would be a shortage of experienced technicians. Agree or not, as the staff experience level increases, the necessary volume of the staff can decrease, you don’t have to pay people to watch people! Sorry to say, but a greeter and repeater doesn’t account for field experience! How many OE’s and regulatory issues have we read from these sites? The required reading, at some sites, is running a close second in size to a New York phone book! One has to also consider the reception at a lot of facilities; Contractors are Events waiting to happen! Sadly enough I can’t supply a lot of opposition to those comments, the past year has brought many events that reinforce those opinions. I can safely say that the majority of those events are directly related to the individuals experience level. I could beat this one to death, but it's all been said and read before.
One has to wonder way Diablo doesn't have these problems? I believe the West Coast approach should be a strong consideration in today’s market, since many of the utilities have a multi-site structure, why not hire as direct temps? You can't argue that concept, considering that Big Blue was the front runner with the CORE concept. Maybe it’s time for a utility Fishing Expedition! An open communications venue between the technicians and the utilities, internet based. I believe a lot of utilities would be impressively surprised at the response and the actual resources still available in the industry. After all requesting a resume, with verifiable references, isn’t a formal a contract, so why not give it a try! Obviously the “it can’t be done” suggestion has been put to rest, because it is being done!
Mike, great information on the associated costs, you made it looks so simple. Not that I would be privileged to any contract information, but why does it take between 30 to 50 pages to outline the bottom line details?
Have a Great Day....RG
