In my situation I started my training in the military so of course no experience was required. The training was good though, pay wasnt. Ive been in the comercial industry now for 5 years with two different companies and they both permote continued education, just in defferent ways. The first one had its own school built and actually employed instructors or would bring vendors in to do the training. The company I am with know will sometimes bring people in to do training, but anything significant will be done at the vendors site. Any descent utility company will budget funds for training. They understand its very benefital to them. Hope this helps