High voltage Linemen are responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of electric infrastructure. It can range from working on large transmission towers to being in a crowded vault. Linemen work in all weather conditions and at all hours. Heat, cold, wind, rain, snow and everything else. It involves time away from home, missed holidays and birthdays etc.
The steps to becoming a Lineman generally involve working your way up from the bottom.
First you work as a Laborer or a Groundman (Linehelper). These are entry level positions. These positions involve menial tasks that introduce you to the trade. You’ll be stocking the trucks, getting tools, running the handline, cleaning off trucks and getting trucks ready to go at the start of shift. Here you will become familiar with methods, tools and materials used in the trade.
Second you have to become an apprentice. Apprenticeships are around 3.5 years. Being an apprentice involves the obvious. You will now begin formal training to reach Lineman status. You will learn to do the work of a Lineman in incremental steps until you top out.
Apprenticeships
IBEW Union apprenticeships: you must interview and get indentured in your local jurisdiction. This is the most recognized apprenticeship. You will be able to get work anytime, anywhere with a union ticket. Union utility companies offer in house NJATC apprenticeships as well.
DOL (Dept of Labor) apprenticeships: This is a non-union apprenticeship sanctioned by the DOL. It is around 5 steps then you are a B-Lineman, then you become an A-Lineman. This is not recognized by the IBEW, but you can test in to an IBEW Lineman.
Company apprenticeships: These are non IBEW and non DOL and are the lowest rung and only recognized by your company. If you leave or the company goes out of business, you don’t have a ticket sanctioned by anybody.
Warning: Please be aware there are different types of Lineman apprenticeships. The most versatile one is the IBEW Journeyman Lineman. It is the most recognized and accepted credentials. There are DOL Certified Linemen which would probably be the second recognized credentials. There are apprenticeships that are “Transmission” only, or “URD” (Underground) only. These are not interchangeable with the Journeyman Lineman certification.
Where do you start?
Bare minimum age is 18 years old. The follow job credentials will make your job hunt more successful. In order of importance.
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Unrestricted CDL (Commercial Drivers License)
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First Aid/CPR
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Flagger Training
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OSHA 10 Construction(if you are new to working on jobsites)
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OSHA 10 ET&D (Electrical Transmission and Distribution)
Line School
More on Line schools. Line school can give you experience you otherwise wouldn’t have, which in some cases could be beneficial. Line school may offer you all the credentials listed as well. Some job postings will require 1-3 yrs related experience or completion of line school. Some places like California it’s probably a good idea to have it. However not everyone requires it.
If you’re looking to work for a certain employer, check their website for desired qualifications.
Finding work, understanding the trade.
There’s working directly for a utility(working for the residents the utility serves) which one stays within that utility’s service area.
Then there’s working for outside construction. This is who does the heavy lifting. Outside will earn more than being at a utility. You’ll work 5+ days a week and 10-12 hour days. This also is a traveling job. You go where the work is. Especially as an apprentice.
Union vs Non-union. Besides the obvious, this can be affected by location. The west coast is 100% union. Places like Louisiana and Kentucky are strongly non-union. Some utilities are union and some are not. Same with outside construction. Utilities and non-union construction hire directly. For Union jobs you must get dispatched from the “out of work” books(books).
Union “books.” Each union hall that has jurisdiction over an area for construction has a set of books for each class. Lineman, apprentice, groundman and so on. When a contractor has a position to fill, they call the hall to send someone. The hall will begin calling the first person on “Book 1” then go down the list until they fill all the calls for workers they have. Book 1 will be local members with 1500-2000 hrs. Book 2 will be travelers and locals with less hours. Book 3 will be doesn’t meet hours etc etc.