Lineworker Maine
The job of a Lineworker can be an extremely rewarding field. If you are interested in working outdoors installing and maintaining utility lines, then a lineworker career may be a good fit for you.
Here are just a few things about lineworker jobs:
- They are well-paying positions.
- The full-time working year is usually between 40 and 50 weeks long with annual wages averaging over $60,000.
- There is a great deal of opportunity for advancement within the field as some lineworkers can earn up to $100,000 or more within 10 years.
There are many ways to become a lineworker. A common path is to apply to train as an apprentice with an electric utility company or telecommunications company.
There are many ways to become a lineworker. A common path is to apply to train as an apprentice with an electric utility company or telecommunications company. Other companies, like cable companies, also have lineworkers.
Community colleges and training centers offer classes and programs that can prepare you for the job. For example, in Maine there is the Northeast Lineman Training Center (NLTC). There, you can choose the option that fits your goals: four-year apprenticeship program; six-week intensive training program; or one of week of classes focusing on specific skills like climbing or pole top rescue.
To apply for the apprenticeship program, you need to meet the requirements of the union or company offering the training. The requirements may include having a high school diploma or GED, and passing a skills test. They might also include having experience in fields such as construction, military service, utilities or forestry.
In the apprenticeship program, you will be trained on-the-job at your employer’s location(s). You will also receive classroom instruction to learn technical knowledge, safety and related topics. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship program, you will have made yourself eligible for higher pay and promotion to journeyman/journeywoman.
To apply for the apprenticeship program, you need to meet the requirements of the union or company offering the training. The requirements may include having a high school diploma or GED, passing a skills test and having experience in fields such as construction, military service, utilities or forestry. If you are already employed by an electrical provider who offers an apprenticeship program and meet their entrance requirements, contact your employer directly to find out more about becoming an apprentice with them.
As part of their training, apprentices receive classroom instruction at colleges and trade schools throughout the year.
Classroom instruction is an important component of your apprenticeship. You will not only learn essential technical skills and safety procedures, you’ll also be on your way towards earning industry certifications for some of the general topics, such as first aid, pole climbing, and CPR. Classes are often held at community colleges and trade schools, through professional training centers like the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (NJATC), or even right at the utility company where you work.
There are three types of classes that you should expect to take while in your apprenticeship: technical courses specific to electrical work; general academic courses like algebra and trigonometry; and lifecycle management courses related to the life of a lineworker. These last two categories can be taken to earn college credits that can help you advance in your career beyond being a lineworker, so it’s worth taking them seriously even though they may seem distracting from what you really want to do with your job.
Apprentices also receive extensive on-the-job training while they work alongside experienced lineworkers in a variety of situations.
Apprentices also receive extensive on-the-job training while they work alongside experienced lineworkers in a variety of situations. This training is intended to give apprentices the skill and knowledge they need to perform their job effectively and safely. Apprentices are paid a competitive hourly rate while they gain “real world” experience. The work can be physically challenging and at times, apprentices will be asked to take on challenging assignments. While this may not always be easy, it is an opportunity for apprentices to learn how to solve problems and build new skills that will serve them well throughout their careers as lineworkers.
After completing the apprenticeship, you can advance your career by becoming a journeyman or master lineworker through continued education and on-the-job training
As a journeyman lineworker, you will be capable of performing work on your own and will be responsible for completing tasks with minimal supervision. Once you’ve achieved the status of master lineworker, you will likely have full responsibility for your crew and the tasks they perform. You can also advance to become a department manager or even go into business for yourself.
The best way to learn any job is through on-the-job training, the more you do, the more you will learn. The more you learn, the more money you will make and the more respected you will become.
Learn more about becoming a lineworker
This program will give you the confidence to perform your job safely, which is of utmost importance. You are taught to work as a team, on a line crew or in an office. You learn to pay attention to the smallest of details in your work, because safety for yourself and others depends on it.
In Maine we have training centers through our power companies that specialize in training lineworkers. There are also community colleges and trade schools that offer classes and programs for lineworkers. Training can be through electric utility companies, telecommunications companies or testing organizations like the International Lineman’s Rodeo Association (ILRA). Many employers also offer apprenticeships, on-the-job training and other educational opportunities for those interested in becoming lineworkers.