In order to become a lineworker, it is typical to go through an apprenticeship either directly through a utility company or through a training organization. The following are some of these programs in the Northwest:

Bonneville Power Administration
Pacific Northwest Region

Seattle City Light’s Lineworker Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Seattle Area

PGE Utility Apprenticeship Opportunities
Portland area

Northwest Line JATC

Bonneville Power Administration
Pacific Northwest Region

BPA’s Apprenticeship program for High Voltage Line Worker, Power System Electrician, and Substation Operator is a three to four year competitively paid training program consisting of 6 month interval steps. Training is a combination of progressively difficult on-the-job experiences, classroom study, correspondence courses, and homework. You must pass a review at the end of each step and you will be promoted to Journeyman after successfully passing your final step review and subsequently assigned to a vacant Journeyman position.

For the duration of your High Voltage Line Worker Apprenticeship you will work under the direct supervision of a journeyman Lineman or Lineman Foreman and be trained to maintain and construct high voltage lines on wood pole and steel tower structures. Additional training includes: access road maintenance procedures; care and inspection of tools, gear and government vehicles; digging procedures; working with different types of wood structures and insulators; safety and first aid, BPA Safety Code; blueprint reading, steel tower erection and more.

http://www.jobs.bpa.gov/   Contact: 1-877-WRK-4BPA (1-877-975-4272)    back to top

Seattle City Light’s Lineworker Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Seattle Area

SCL is actively seeking women and men for this physically demanding career. Pre-apprentices are expected to have people skills, a good work ethic, basic physical fitness, aptitude with hand tools, and ability to follow written and spoken directions. This paid, 6-month program prepares you the following three years of apprenticeship. You will learn to climb wooden poles; drive utility trucks; get a CDL; lift, carry and use tools and equipment and learn to safely install and repair overhead power lines in a team work setting. Work is within the city of Seattle with limited travel to hydroelectric dams and along transmission and distribution lines. The educational process consists of:

• on the job training with journey-level lineworkers crews
• hands-on training in controlled laboratory settings
• academic “night school” classes one night/week (books and tuition are provided)

As work and skill level expectations increase and testing modules are achieved, pay increases are awarded. Starting pay is currently $22/hour (2/2008) + full benefits, overtime is double-pay and voluntary.

www.seattle.gov/light/apprentice   Contact: 206-386-1603    back to top

PGE Utility Apprenticeship Opportunities
Portland area

PGE offers exciting careers to women and men who have an interest in the skilled trades, enjoy working outdoors as part of a team, are able to routinely lift 50 lbs., and have valid driver's licenses and good driving records.

Starting wage in entry-level positions is $13.81 per hour. Duties include:

• Loading and unloading bulky, heavy equipment and rigging
• Operating hand lines to pull heavy equipment
• Pulling heavy wire, digging hoes and using shovels
• Working under the direction of foreman, or journeymen on overhead or underground construction crews

In-house apprenticeships are three-year, seniority-based paid training programs. Starting rates of pay are $34.26 per hour. The apprenticed positions and their duties are:

Journey Level Lineworker, Wireworker, Meterworker: install, repair and maintain electric overhead and underground power lines, transformer wiring, and electrical equipment in power substations, generating stations, or power houses; install electric meters on poles or customer's homes or businesses, test and repair meters, and connect or disconnect electric service.

www.portlandgeneral.com   Contact: 503-464-7250    back to top

Northwest Line JATC

To apply all applicants must fill out and meet the Min qualification; 18 years of age, high school diploma, or GED, and must be physically able to perform the job as outlined in the Standards of Apprenticeship. Line Construction Apprentices require a $25.00 application fee, and need to have documentation of one year of high school Algebra or one term of post high school Algebra. When the application is processed you will be requested to come in for an interview. All candidates will be placed on a list according to your score at the interview. As employers need apprentices they will be called off the list starting at the top If called off the list you will be indentured as an Apprentice and begin the program. With all apprenticeship you qualify for you will receive paid on the job training. Apprentices need to complete and pass their related classroom studies provided by the apprenticeship.

www.northwestlinejatc.com    back to top