New Hampshire

Lineworker New Hampshire

Training

If you want to become a lineworker in New Hampshire, it is likely that you will enroll in an apprenticeship program. Many utility companies will provide on-the-job training for their employees. You may also be able to complete training through your community college or electrical school.

Programs vary greatly depending upon the employer and location. For example, you may have to undergo a six-year apprenticeship or only one year of classroom training before beginning a job as a lineworker. Most require at least three years of experience plus an exam process before becoming certified. The following are just a few examples of lineworker programs available in New Hampshire:

  • Lineman Apprenticeship Program through New Hampshire Electric Cooperative
  • Electrical Technology program at University System of New Hampshire
  • Power Line Construction Program at Northwest Iowa Community College

Apprenticeship

  • Apprenticeships are a five year program.
  • Earn while you learn. This means that you will get paid for all trainings, overtime, and for the work you do.
  • The program is hands on training with experience in every aspect of electrical work.
  • Get paid for safety training and climbing training within your first few weeks as an apprentice.
  • Get paid to take classes to get your Commercial Drivers License (CDL). You must have this license to be able to drive a bucket truck or any of the other utility trucks. While paying someone else hundreds of dollars to go through CDL school might not seem like such a great perk- it really is!
  • Get paid for pole top rescue training and practicing monthly.

Community College

If you choose to attend a community college, there are a few things to keep in mind. Not all community colleges offer programs in line work, so make sure that the school you choose offers at least one program related to line work. Some community colleges have partnerships with training centers or utility companies where students can study and complete an internship. These kind of partnerships may help with getting a job after graduation.

Training Center

The Lineworker Training Center is owned and operated by the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative for the benefit of all New Hampshire electric utilities. Located in Franklin, NH, the center has been training lineworkers on new techniques and technologies since 2001 as part of a statewide partnership between utilities, schools, labor and businesses.

Training is free to students through state grants and donations from electric companies. All first-year students are guaranteed a job upon successful completion of the program at an elective utility in New England.

There are a variety of options for lineworker training in New Hampshire.

Lineworker training in New Hampshire is available through a variety of options. You can begin with a four-year bachelor’s degree at Plymouth State University or the University of New Hampshire, both located in New Hampshire. In addition to other general education courses, you will also complete courses on electricity and electronics to prepare for this field.

Your lineworker training may also be offered through an associate degree program at Manchester Community College in Manchester, NH. With coursework in electrical systems and distribution, you will have all the necessary training from this school.

You can also earn your lineworker training from a certificate program that takes one year to complete. Nashua Community College offers such a certificate, as does Lakes Region Community College in Laconia, NH. You may also consider enrolling in an apprenticeship program with a company such as Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH)