Virginia's Power Generation pathway prepares students for careers generating electrical power from diverse sources—including traditional fossil fuels, nuclear, hydroelectric, and renewable sources. This pathway develops expertise in power plant operations and maintenance.
Students study electrical generation principles, power plant systems, equipment operation, maintenance procedures, safety protocols, and environmental compliance. They learn power systems through simulations and partnerships with power generation facilities.
Graduates work as power plant operators, equipment technicians, maintenance specialists, or power systems engineers. Virginia's diverse energy sources including nuclear power create employment. Advanced students pursue electrical engineering and power systems programs.
Power Generation at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Virginia's power generation standards address electrical generation principles, power plant safety, equipment operation, and regulatory compliance. Standards align with NRC and EPA requirements for power facilities.
Students demonstrate competency through equipment operation simulations, safety certifications, and maintenance assessments. The state integrates EPA and OSHA knowledge.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Power Generation Fundamentals |
| Electrical Generation Systems |
| Power Plant Operations and Safety |
| Equipment Maintenance and Troubleshooting |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓NCCER Carpentry Level 2
- ✓NCCER HVAC Level 1
- ✓EPA 608 Certification
- ✓Autodesk Certified User - AutoCAD
- ✓Autodesk Certified User - Revit
- ✓NOCTI Building and Construction Occupations
- ✓First Aid/CPR/AED
- ✓NCCER Core
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Power Plant Technician
Entry LevelSalary range: $64,700 - $92,530
Equipment Operator
ExperiencedSalary range: $44,620 - $64,310
Maintenance Specialist
ExperiencedSalary range: $38,500 - $61,990
Power Systems Engineer
ExperiencedSalary range: $111,740 - $181,210
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students intern at power generation facilities, utility companies, and power system operators throughout Virginia.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Virginia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Virginia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Virginia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Virginia standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in Virginia
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