Apprenticeship Program Descriptions - Electrical Lineworkers

Electrical Lineworkers

CONSTRUCTION LINEMAN, ELECTRICAL MECHANIC, WIREMEN, ELECTRICIAN, HYDRO WIREMAN, LINE ELECTRICIAN, LINE WORKER, MAINTENANCE LINEMAN, OUTDOOR LIGHTING AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLER, RESIDENTIAL WIREMAN APPRENTICE, SUBSTATION WIREMAN, UTILITY WIREMAN, WIREMEN

The Work
Electrical lineworkers construct and maintain electric transmission and distribution facilities that deliver electricity to our homes, factories and commercial and retail businesses. Apprentices work for various contractors on all types of power line construction, both underground and overhead.

Working Conditions
The work is outdoors year-round and may involve extensive travel throughout the Northwest. Work on high voltage electrical transmission lines can be hazardous. Lineworkers are often called out to restore electrical service during weather emergencies when wind, snow or ice storms have damaged electric power lines.

The Apprenticeship
This program requires 6,000-8,000 hours (three to four years) of on-the-job training. Periods of unemployment may lengthen the apprenticeship. In addition, apprentices are required to attend 144-160 hours a year of related classroom studies that are provided through the apprenticeship program.

Apprenticeship Entry Requirements
Applicants must meet at least one of the three conditions listed below:

Minimum age of 18 and high school diploma or GED with at least one year of high school algebra or one term of college algebra with a grade of C or better (official transcript required).
Minimum age of 18 and minimum of 4,000 hours of work experience in the trade which included climbing and other trade-related work (documentation required).
Be a veteran with two or more years of active service with other than dishonorable discharge and have completed military training including line construction and related theories (documentation required).