I spent 35 - 36 years in the electric utilities. I did quite well but I never finished college, therefore I knew nothing when it came time for a promotion. If I would have stayed in the union side I would have been stuck behind guys that were younger then I was but had more company time, therefore, they would have gotten the position I wanted. Was a no-win situation. Only thing I could say is that there were no layoffs and I retired with a decent pension.
My advice would be the young man to take stock of himself and ask what he would like to do 12 hours a day / 6 days a week. Once he can answer that get into that field and get all the training he can. I do agree the electrical side has lots of openings. It's not magic but very few people understand even the basics of it.

When you can get the last word with an echo, you may have the last word with your wife. - Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
If goose was the only meat, there would be a lot more vegetarians. - Lloyd Adams, waterfowl hunter