Electric Utility Worker Lineman Tennessee
Electric utility repair workers install and maintain lines and equipment.
Electric utility repair workers, who are sometimes referred to as lineworkers, install and maintain power lines and equipment. They also repair existing utility lines that are damaged during storms or other disasters. Lineworkers ensure that all lines are operating safely and efficiently. Workers may be responsible for a specific section of the distribution system or an entire line, depending on their employer’s structure.
Although educational requirements vary by employer, most people in this occupation have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Many employers prefer that prospective employees have some training in electricity or electrical engineering at a technical school or community college before they can be hired as lineworkers. Some electric utilities offer on-the-job training programs to teach new hires the skills they will need to do their work effectively.
Depending on an employee’s specific area of responsibility, he or she may be required to climb poles and towers using safety equipment such as ropes and belts; use hand tools; operate maintenance vehicles; repair underground power systems; set up construction sites; string cables from one pole to another; communicate with fellow workers via radios; keep track of inventory levels for supplies; find nonworking parts of the system so repairs can be made quickly and safely; replace damaged wires and other equipment according to the company standards in order to restore service promptly
The Repair and Construction of Electrical Lines is Hard Work.
- You’ll be working in all kinds of weather, and on uneven terrain.
You’ll need to be able to climb poles and towers, as well as lift heavy objects such as transformers, batteries, cables and tools. Working at heights and with energized power lines is a daily occurrence for linemen. Linemen also work in confined spaces like manholes, vaults and crawl spaces. Work can be intense when the weather is bad or during emergencies. The job’s hazards include electric shock and burns from electrical arcs; falling from poles or towers; vehicular accidents while traveling to job sites; heat exhaustion from strenuous physical effort; slips, trips & falls on the ground; stress related injuries from pulling wire failures or other job-site incidents; overexertion of back muscles while climbing poles with heavy tools or equipment attached to you tool belt (i.e. deadman); blisters on your hands when climbing hundreds of poles each day with a hot stick in your hand (for gripping); exposure to poisonous plants/animals found in wooded areas where most power lines are located; entrapment/asphyxiation within confined spaces such as manholes or vaults that are not properly ventilated by blowers forcing fresh air into them before entering them
If a career in construction, technology and engineering interests you, there are great opportunities as an electric utility repair worker.
If a career in construction, technology and engineering interests you, there are great opportunities as an electric utility repair worker.
Electric utility workers maintain, troubleshoot and repair overhead or underground power lines and equipment. A Powerline technician is an electrical technician who specializes in installing, operating, repairing and maintaining power lines that carry electricity from the point of generation to the point of use. You will have many opportunities for advancement throughout your career. With experience you can advance to supervisory positions or become a technical specialist in a particular area.
As an electric utility worker you will have opportunities to work in a variety of settings including industrial complexes and commercial buildings. As well you may work on new construction projects or assist with more complex issues when called upon by your supervisor. Electric utility workers may also have the opportunity for travel as they work in different locations servicing customers across their service territory. In addition electric utility workers are often called upon to work on special projects such as new technology implementations for customers or working on system enhancements (poles/wires) that upgrade infrastructure within their service territory.
In addition some power line technicians choose to become independent contractors after several years of experience working with one company providing them additional opportunities to develop their business acumen while continuing to learn advanced technical skills required by their clients
Bigger companies with more contracts will have more openings for lineworkers who want to upgrade.
- More opportunities for advancement
While it’s possible to advance at smaller companies, there are simply more opportunities for promotion at larger companies. As you gain experience and move up the ranks, you may find that you have to switch employers if you want to continue making a career out of your work. There are many opportunities available in this field, and some lineworkers actually change employers multiple times during their careers.
- Training is usually better at big companies
Bigger companies tend to be able to spend more on training than small ones can. If you’re interested in learning new skills and receiving certifications, a bigger company will likely be better able to help you achieve your goals.
Training is only good if it’s available when lineworkers want it, though—and some big companies are so large that they don’t have enough resources available for their workers who want training. Some schedule classes months in advance while others make it difficult for employees who work non-traditional schedules like night shifts or split shifts (with one shift during the morning/afternoon and another during the evening/night). If a particular power company has a bad reputation among lineworkers for being unable or unwilling to provide training, then being hired by that company isn’t going to help much with advancing your career or gaining certifications (even though they might have more of them than small companies do).
Training can take two or four years – or even five, if you’re studying for the journey-level lineman test.
Training can take two or four years – or even five, if you’re studying for the journey-level lineman test. It all depends on your particular situation. If you already have an associate’s degree, you might be able to land a job with a utility company without further schooling. But many require you to go through their in-house training program before starting work. Likewise, some companies require that you earn a two-year degree in electrical technology as part of your training. Others will reimburse your tuition costs if you attend one of the more than 100 community colleges that offer accredited programs for aspiring linemen, such as the one at Pellissippi State Community College in Tennessee. Most employers also look for a high school diploma or GED equivalency certificate, and some will insist on it even with previous professional experience on your resume.
To get hired as an apprentice lineworker, you generally need a high school diploma or GED.
To get hired as an apprentice lineman, you generally need to have a high school diploma or
GED. Some employers prefer applicants who graduate from vocational schools with training in
electrical repair, maintenance, and construction. Some companies may require a clean driving
record and drug test. A college degree is not typically required for entry-level work as a
lineman. In some states, lineman apprenticeship programs are available through independent
contractors and utility companies. For example, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offers a five-year training program that combines in-class and on-the-job training. Apprenticeships are very competitive and require passing an aptitude test.
Depending on where you live, training can be done through your local community college, vocational school, union apprenticeship program, public utility company or an independent institution like a lineman school.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) is the largest union of electricians in the world. The IBEW operates training centers across the country to train apprentices entering the trade, but depending on where you live, training can be done through your local community college, vocational school, union apprenticeship program, public utility company or an independent institution like a lineman school. In order to become an apprentice lineworker with a high school diploma or GED, you’ll need to pass a physical and drug screening exam as well as aptitude tests that measure your knowledge of basic math and science skills.
A training center is operated by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
IBEW training centers are located throughout the US and Canada. Some training centers are currently under construction. The majority of IBEW training centers are associated with a local IBEW chapter and apprenticeship program, however there are some non-affiliated training centers which provide industry recognized curriculum. Many of these training centers have their own facilities, while others rent space from other businesses or organizations to provide their programs.
You may spend your entire career at one company or work for several different utility companies over time.
Whether you choose to work for one company for your entire career or you consider multiple job offers, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each employer. At a smaller, local utility, you may find that promotions come more readily. In this situation, it’s not uncommon to start as an apprentice and earn a promotion every two years until you are promoted to journeyman. With greater opportunities for advancement comes a greater earning potential and better benefits packages.
Working on the other side of the coin is working at one large company with many job sites available. Working at multiple locations within one company ensures that you can obtain experience in different environments and tackle different problems—which can be very beneficial as you advance your career in electrical utility work.
Some other types of companies that hire electrical lineworkers are telecommunications companies like AT&T and Verizon.
Other types of companies that hire electrical lineworkers are telecommunications companies like AT&T and Verizon. These companies also need to maintain their electric lines, so they may require an electric utility worker to inspect their equipment.
Linemen may also work for cable television or Internet service providers. These companies have similar responsibilities as electricity or telecommunications companies, but may specialize in installing and maintaining wires for data transmission instead of power transfer. Certain industrial plants, such as those that produce steel, may require linemen because they need to install and maintain power lines that help with production.
You need to go through training and take some tests to qualify for this job.
- What Is the Training Required to Become an Electric Utility Worker?
To become an electric utility worker, you typically need to have a high school diploma or the equivalent. You may also need training in electrical, mechanical and power distribution systems.
- How Do I Become Licensed as an Electrician in Tennessee?
The first step is to complete an apprenticeship program for electricians. There are many options throughout the state that could be a good fit for you, but you should make sure that your chosen apprenticeship would qualify you for certification as a journeyman lineman with the Tennessee Board of Licensure for Contractors. Once your apprenticeship is complete, you must pass both the trade exam and business management exam administered by PSI Services LLC. The content covered on these exams can be found here.
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