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Energy Generation, Transmission and Distribution

Energy Generation, Transmission and Distribution Competency Model

The competency model framework for energy generation, transmission, and distribution was developed through a collaborative effort involving the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD).

To ensure that the model reflects the knowledge and skills needed by today's energy workforce, CEWD has taken the lead to update the model. The updated model contains new information on the need for Science and Information Technology skills and the importance of Ethics, Employability, and Entrepreneurship skills, as well as updated key behaviors in several competency areas.

In 2025, the foundational tiers of the model were updated to align with changes in the Building Blocks Model. For more information, download the Summary of Changes.

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Energy Generation, Transmission and Distribution Competency Model

Energy Generation, Transmission and Distribution Building Blocks Pyramid

<strong>1.1 Interpersonal Skills</strong> Displaying skills to work with people. <strong>1.2 Integrity</strong> Displaying accepted social and work behaviors <strong>1.3 Professionalism</strong> Maintaining a professional presence and adhering to ethical standards <strong>1.4 Reputation</strong> Maintaining a high degree of personal ethics and behaviors <strong>1.5 Motivation</strong> Demonstrating a commitment to effective job performance <strong>1.6 Dependability/Reliability</strong> Displaying responsible behaviors at work <strong>1.7 Self-Development</strong> Demonstrating a commitment to self development and improvement <strong>1.8 Flexibility and Adaptability</strong> Adjusting to changing work requirements <strong>1.9 Ability to Learn</strong> Incorporating classroom and on the job training into work performance <strong>2.1 Mathematics</strong> Using mathematics to solve problems <strong>2.2 Locating, Reading and Using Information</strong> Knowing how to find information and identifying essential information <strong>2.3 Writing</strong> Using standard business English to write messages to co-workers and reports to managers and associates <strong>2.4 Listening</strong> Listening carefully in order to incorporate information into work activities <strong>2.5 Speaking</strong> Communicating in spoken English well enough to be understood by supervisors, co-workers and customers <strong>2.6 Engineering and Technology</strong> Possessing an appropriate mastery of knowledge, techniques, skills, modern tools and advanced technology <strong>2.7 Science</strong> Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems <strong>2.8 Information Technology</strong> Demonstrating basic IT skills for workplace efficiency and work flow <strong>2.9 Critical and Analytical Thinking</strong> Using logical thought processes to analyze information and draw conclusions <strong>2.10 Basic Computer Skills</strong> Using information technology and related applications, including adaptive devices and software, to convey and retrieve information. <strong>3.1 Business Fundamentals</strong> Understanding the relationship between an individual`s own job and the goals and operations of company and industry <strong>3.2 Teamwork</strong> Developing capacities used to work with others <strong>3.3 Following Directions</strong> Receiving, understanding and carrying out assignments with minimal supervision <strong>3.4 Planning/Organizing/Scheduling</strong> Demonstrating the ability to work within a schedule using prescribed procedures <strong>3.5 Problem Solving/Decision-Making</strong> Applying problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to help grow the business and/or to resolve workplace conflict <strong>3.6 Ethics</strong> Describing the importance of personal ethics and legal responsibility <strong>3.7 Employability and Entrepreneurship Skills</strong> Defining ongoing career development <strong>3.8 Working with Basic Hand and Power Tools and Technology</strong> Having capability to operate and troubleshoot electric and electronic equipment, mechanical and electrical products <strong>4.1 Safety Awareness</strong> Complying with the procedures necessary to ensure a safe and healthy work environment <strong>4.2 Industry Principles and Concepts</strong> Knowing the basic and emerging principles and concepts that impact the energy industry, including: energy production, energy transmission and alternative energy technologies <strong>4.3 Environmental Laws and Regulations</strong> Complying with relevant local, state, and federal environmental laws and regulations that impact the energy industry <strong>4.4 Quality Control/Continuous Improvement</strong> Demonstrating the ability to design, analyze and effectively use systems, components and methods with a framework of quality and continuous improvement <strong>4.5 Troubleshooting</strong> Diagnosing and correcting abnormalities and malfunctions in equipment and production processes <strong>5.1 Non-Nuclear Generation</strong> Technical skills and knowledge necessary for gas, oil, coal, hydro, solar, wind, biofuel or geothermal power plant personnel <strong>5.2 Nuclear Generation</strong> Technical skills and knowledge necessary for nuclear power plant personnel <strong>5.3 Electric Transmission and Distribution</strong> Knowledge and skills necessary for the transmission and distribution of electricity from the generation source to the end customer <strong>5.4 Gas Transmission and Distribution</strong> Knowledge and skills necessary for the transmission and distribution of natural gas from the refinery to the end customer Click here to search for O*NET Occupational Competencies Profiles