Utilities like electrical, telephone and cable have been reducing their workforces and relying more on contractors because so much of the work depends on the weather, making hourly employees more expensive. Contractors that restore power after storms and hurricanes offer jobs for people with lineman skills. The up side for the utility companies is the downside for the contractor's employees. The weather is unpredictable.
Although new construction is down, some utilities are upgrading services like changing pole systems to underground using boring and trenching technologies. Most of that work is being done by contractors also. They pay well but shouldn't be considered a career because the avilability of work is always in flux.