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POWER LINEMAN |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
There have been no changes to this trade in the year of 2009.
Power linemen construct, maintain and repair overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems.
In general, power linemen:
When there is a power disturbance, failure, or storm damage, power linemen locate the source of the problem, and replace or repair defective power lines and accessories. They use wiring diagrams, voltage indicating devices, and other electrical-testing instruments to identify defective automatic sectionalizing devices, circuit breakers, fuses, voltage regulators, transformers, switches, relays, or wiring. The power lines may be de-energized and grounded, or may remain energized. Live-line maintenance techniques are used on energized power lines. The hazards of working with energized power lines are reduced by use of special equipment and training with safe work practices and procedures.
Power linemen work outdoors at various work sites so travelling is often part of the work day. The work may be strenuous and requires frequent heavy lifting, carrying, and reaching. Getting to power lines requires climbing poles or towers, working from a bucket attached to an aerial lift boom, and entering manholes and underground vaults. Shift work may be required. Although a 40-hour work week is normal, in emergencies linemen may be called upon at any hour and in any weather.
There is some risk of injury from falls and electrical shocks.
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy working outdoors in all weather conditions and developing specialized skills at varied and challenging tasks.
To be successful in the trade, power linemen need:
Power linemen are employed by utility companies and their contractors. In some companies, power linemen must be union members.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $25 to $32 an hour plus benefits.
Experienced power linemen may advance to foreman and line supervisor positions.
To work as a Power Lineman in Alberta, a person must:
Power linemen learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A power lineman who holds a valid trade certificate from Alberta or from another Canadian province or territory may apply to write the Interprovincial Exam and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.
A power lineman who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Power linemen who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a credential that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a power lineman is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1525 hours of on-the-job training and 7 weeks of technical training in each of the first 3 years, and a minimum of 1800 hours of on-the-job training in the fourth year.
To learn the skills required of a power lineman in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice power linemen earn at least 50 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 60 percent in the second, 67.5 percent in the third, and 75 percent in the fourth year.
- select an educational institution that offers training for power lineman apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
Apprentices may attempt the Interprovincial Exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal. (see Exam Counselling Sheets)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
To qualify for a Red Seal, a person must:
- an Alberta trade certificate or completion of apprenticeship certificate, OR
- a journeyperson or completion of apprenticeship certificate issued by another Canadian province or territory
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require an Alberta Equivalency document as proof that the certificate is equivalent to the requirements of the trade in Alberta.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
