New York

Lineworker New York

Training

Training is a prerequisite for working as a lineworker. The training program you choose should be approved by the New York State Public Service Commission and result in certification. In most cases, this means attending a school that offers an Associate’s degree or technical certificate in electric power technology. You will also need to get certified from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

The curriculum at technical schools typically includes courses on safety, electricity, electrical systems, transmission lines and substations, transformers and metering. Many programs require that students complete an internship with a local utility company.

Apprenticeship

An electrical or telecommunications apprenticeship is the most common way to learn your trade. Most require a high school diploma or GED, and some have specific math and science prerequisites. Apprenticeships can last from two to five years, during which time you’ll receive both classroom instruction (which usually takes place at night) and supervised on-the-job training; you’ll also be paid for your work throughout this period.

It’s easiest to get into an apprenticeship program through a union. If you’re interested in this path, contact the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) for more information about local union chapters that offer apprenticeships. If no such chapter exists in your area, contact the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). A few nonunion companies also offer apprenticeships, but their application processes are similar to those at unions; because they’re almost exclusively affiliated with NECA, seeking that group’s help would be a good place to start if you aren’t already tied in to one of these programs. You can find out more by visiting: http://www.necanet.org/index2.cfm?menuid=10

Community college

The following information is for applicants who are interested in pursuing the Lineworker New York program at [name of college].

Requirements

Admission Policy: Community College: Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and be 18 years of age.

Residency Requirement: No residency requirements exist. Tuition is determined by residency status of student.

Special Admission Requirements:

  • Candidates must meet New York State Education Department (NYSED) minimum course grade point average (GPA) requirements AND successfully complete an interview with college representatives OR receive an acceptance letter from a utility company participating in the Lineworker Program.
  • Prior to acceptance into the 2nd semester, candidates will be required to pass the OSHA 10-hour General Industry Safety & Health Training Course, which is offered through the Local Union #3 IBEW Apprenticeship Program at no cost to candidates.

Training center

The Training Center is a school that prepares you for a job as a lineworker. Its curriculum covers electrical theory, safety, and hands-on instruction over the course of three to four months. It’s also free, and upon graduating from the program, you’ll be hired by one of our member companies.

The majority of the Training Center classes take place in Anytown; however, there will be opportunities for experience outside the classroom at our sister facility near Springfield. The in-depth education you’ll get at the Training Center will serve as your foundation for building a lifelong career in this field.

Largest electric utility companies in the USA

  • Con Edison
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company
  • Duke Energy
  • Florida Power & Light Company
  • Southern Company
  • Exelon
  • American Electric Power
  • NextEra Energy
  • Dominion Energy
  • Xcel Energy

Largest telecommunications companies

Verizon is the largest telecommunications company in the United States and one of the world’s largest. AT&T is not far behind and has a long history of providing telephone service. T-Mobile and Comcast are lesser known, but still significant companies.

Largest renewables energy companies

Workers in the renewables sector are in demand. They’re working for rapidly expanding organizations, and that means lots of opportunity for growth. In addition, these companies tend to bring on new workers who have at least one year of experience—meaning those already employed in renewables have an advantage over other job hunters.

The pay is excellent, too: the median hourly wage for solar photovoltaic installers was $15.79 as of May 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Wind turbine technicians made a median salary of $51,050 per year. And careers in renewable energy aren’t just about money; they’re about doing rewarding work for quality companies that offer competitive benefits packages and opportunities to make a difference on climate change and environmental issues.

Testing

You will face three kinds of tests for this job:

  • an aptitude test, which consists of two sections, a math section and a reading comprehension section.
  • basic electronics knowledge test
  • drug screening.

To prepare for the math section, you should brush up on basic algebra skills like working with terms and learning how to factor polynomials. For example, if x + 5x = 30, what is x? (the answer is 5). You can find great practice materials online at sites like Sparknotes or Khan Academy. For the reading comprehension portion of the exam, expect questions about paragraph summarization and vocabulary in context. This one may seem less applicable to your day job as a lineworker but having strong reading comprehension skills is always important in any work environment because it helps you to understand instructions quickly and correctly.

For the basic electronics knowledge test you should review Ohm’s Law, which dictates that voltage equals current multiplied by resistance (V=I*R). The company who administers this test suggests reviewing concepts from an introductory high school physics text book or taking free classes at a local community college.

Benefits

You’ll be a part of an organization that cares about our employees and their families.

  • Medical and prescription coverage
  • Dental and vision care
  • Paid time off, holiday pay, sick leave, bereavement time
  • Life insurance, disability protection and accidental death & dismemberment coverage
  • 401(k) program with company matching contributions and immediate vesting
  • Stock purchase plan with company match of employee contributions up to 5 percent (after one year of service)

Salary

The salary of a lineman is $26.42 per hour, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2015. This translates to an average annual salary of $75,000 for a full-time lineman and $90,000 for a master electrician with the necessary experience and education. The highest earners in this field can expect to make upwards of $104,000 annually.

Lineworker training is an excellent, career-building opportunity.

The first step in becoming an apprentice is to attend a lineworker training program. These are generally four to six weeks long and often held at community colleges or technical schools. The goal of the course is to teach you the fundamentals of the job so that you can become a productive member of your company’s crew as soon as possible.

While it is true that you will learn more specifics on the job, having a good understanding of safety procedures, basic pole climbing techniques and what equipment is used for different tasks will make your transition into working life much easier. Your instructors will be able to help you find work after graduation, so make sure they know what qualities you have that make you an ideal candidate for their company!