PLH GROUP NEWS
Energy Industry Empowers Women
Date: November 9, 2019
Not many people associate climbing a utility pole hauling a bulky toolbelt, operating heavy equipment in muddy terrain, spending weeks working away from home, and performing post-storm electric utility work the job for a woman.
Though the energy industry is dominated by men, it is no longer exclusively a male-run workplace. In fact, the number of women serving on boards of power and utility companies globally has risen from 2% in 2014 to 17% in 2019, and the global renewable energy workforce consists of nearly one-third women.
PLH Group is a leading, full-service power line construction, pipeline construction and specialty contractor that serves the electric power line, pipeline, oil field electrical and industrial markets.
It is comprised of 11 entities, each with specialized energy skills performed by teams consisting of both men and women.
For instance, female employees may be found working in PLH Group’s field environment– like TTR Substation’s Warehouse Manager Anna Carlson— or the office environment– like PLH Group’s Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary Kerry David.
The PLH Group Women’s Resource Group connects these women throughout all levels and job duties to encourage, enhance, and unite women. Similar organizations have been created on both the national and international levels throughout the energy industry. Organizations like Energetic Women, Women’s Energy Network, and Association of Women in Energy all want to send the same message to the global energy industry as PLH Group’s Women’s Resource Group: The energy industry is not just for men.…And that message is being heard.
In December 2017, Lineman Rodeo team Girl Power publicly displayed the message that the work of a lineman is no longer just for men.
The first Lineman’s Rodeo was held in 1984 as a lively and entertaining way to exhibit the specialized skills needed in the craft of a professional lineman.
The competition not only provides an avenue for tradesman to receive recognition for their skills and connect with other professional linemen, but also places an emphasis on safe work practices.
Since 1999, Southeast Lineman Training Center (SLTC) has held three Lineman Rodeos every year.
After 18 years of competition, the industry cheered on SLTC’s Girl Power, the first all-female team consisting of four fearless and highly-skilled women who competed in events that included a hurtman rescue, pole climb, and a written test.
That message has even been heard by the manufacturers of personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE was once created for a man’s body type. Now, though, women are seeing more and more options that tailor to the fit needed for female construction workers, such as work boots.
PLH Group is not only proud of the strides that women are making in the energy field to increase representation, but also recognizes and appreciates the significant contributions that women are making in the global energy industry.
