Linemen profession is one of the high-demand professions worth going for. It has to do with building towering power lines. Linemen basically build, repair and maintain power lines.
In fact, they are the brain box behind the supply of power in our houses, communities, and businesses.
They work with both low and high voltage equipments and plays a major role in ensuring their is light.
But how do you become one? What kind of training does it take? What does a lineman do, and is the career financially rewarding?
In this article, we have provided detailed guide on how to become a Lineman, the qualifications needed, and basic skills needed.
Who is a Lineman?
A lineman is a skilled worker solely responsible for handling electrical power and telecommunication systems. They construct, maintain, and repair electrical systems. Once electricity and telecommunication are concerned, Linemen play a vital role.
They provide these services to firms, homes, and businesses. Aside from their major roles, they also solve challenges related to weather, high altitude, and space.
What is the job of a lineworker?
The list of responsibilities for a lineworker is as follows:
- Transport utility vehicles to construction sites.
- To service power lines, scale poles.
- Distribution and transmission wires for services from power plants to buildings
- Organize and oversee installation initiatives.
- Install power systems’ electrical equipment.
- Make sure that the job site complies with company and regulatory safety regulations.
- Fix power wires that are above and below ground.
- Maintain power lines by conducting routine examinations.
- Oversee groundskeepers and apprentices.
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Types of Linemen
There are different types of linemen. That means, as a Lineman, there are various areas you can specialize in.
Let’s take a look at the areas
Power Linemen:
As a lineman, you can become a power lineman. Power linemen basically focus on maintaining and repairing facilities that supply power plants to users. They also work on high-voltage transmission lines and local electrical distribution systems.
Telecommunications Linemen:
This is another area of specialization. Working as a Telecommunications Lineman will require you to install and maintain communication lines like fiber optic cables and telephones.
Distribution Linemen:
Distribution linemen focus on lower-voltage lines. The connect light to homes and businesses. They often operate in residential and urban areas, addressing outages and system upgrades.
Transmission linemen:
High-voltage transmission lines that carry electricity over great distances—often through isolated or rural areas—are handled by transmission linemen.
Each specialization requires a unique set of skills and training, but all share a commitment to safety, precision, and reliability.
What tools does a lineworker use?
Here’s a list of tools and equipment lineworkers use to perform their job duties:
- Hand instruments:
To service power lines, lineworkers use hand tools such as bolt cutters, pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, and wire stripping tools. To prevent electric shock, lineworkers’ instruments are insulated with nonconductive materials like nylon, rubber, or plastic.
- The bucket truck
Utility, energy, and telecommunications lineworkers can access electricity wires stretched on poles by operating bucket trucks.
- Additional climbing equipment:
To safely climb utility poles, a lineworker can utilize climbing spikes, straps, and gaffs.
- Hard hats:
Because they may be working at heights, lineworkers wear hard hats to prevent falls.
- Gloves:
Lineworkers can reduce their risk of electrocution by donning insulated gloves.
- Personal defense grounds:
To keep safe when maintaining power lines, lineworkers can also employ grounding tools such as ferrules, clamps, cables, and clusters.
- Belt for climbing:
To safely scale poles and service power lines, a lineworker can wear a climbing belt.
Salary and job outlook for a lineworker
According to Indeed Salaries, the average base salary for a lineworker is $24.16 per hour. They can also earn additional pay through overtime compensation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the lineworker occupation will show little to no change from 2020-2030.
How to Become a Lineman
The following steps will help you build a career as a Lineman:
Get a High School Diploma
The first step to becoming a lineman is to get a high school diploma or GED. Earning a high school diploma or GED gets you ready for the journey. There are classes and tests you must pass before you can earn a GED.
2. Get a driver’s license
The next step is getting a driver’s license. With a driver’s license, you can get a high number of apprenticeship hours required by the state you are residing in. Note, this step is optional.
3. Attend a Vocational School
This is another important step you must complete. To become a professional lineman, you need to attend a vocational or trade school.
Attending a trade school will open you to more opportunities and even give you advanced knowledge and skills needed to do the work, especially as an apprentice.
During the program, you will learn how to fix and replace damaged electrical equipment and how to safely climb poles.
Trade school will also teach you how to read voltages, cable splicing, how to calculate the tension of a line, and the basic tools linemen use daily.
Take an aptitude test
After attending a trade school, take an aptitude test. Passing the lineworker aptitude test is what guarantees your entry into the apprenticeship.
Lineworker aptitude tests have math and reading comprehension questions that can measure your critical thinking and analytical skills.
During the apprenticeship program, you are expected to submit your resume that shows your qualifications and experience.
5. Start an apprenticeship program
If you pass the aptitude test, you can start the apprenticeship program. During the program, you can be paid and also be taught what you need to know as a lineman.
A lineworker apprenticeship takes about 7,000 hours of hands-on work and training classes, or about four years, to complete in most states. At completion, you will earn a journeyperson qualification.
An apprenticeship qualification shows prospective employers that you have achieved the standard education and skills training to be an effective lineworker.
Aside from the certification, you will learn how to build and install power lines and towers, how to frame and assemble poles, and how to insulate wires safely.
Moreso, you will be taught the government safety rules and regulations and how to use personal protective equipment.
Furthermore, you’ll learn how to properly maintain conductors, telephone lines, street lights and elements of traffic control systems, like traffic lights.
6. Become a journey-level lineworker
Once you’ve completed the required hours of experience in an apprenticeship, you can be eligible to become a journey-level lineworker.
Some states require you to get a license to become a lineworker, so you can use your knowledge from your apprenticeship to obtain a license and begin working independently to repair, replace and maintain power infrastructure.
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7. Obtain a Red Seal from Interprovincial Standards
You can take the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal test once you have earned a journeyperson credential for your province or territory. You can operate as a lineworker in any province or territory if you have a Red Seal certificate.
Possessing a Red Seal can provide lineworkers greater mobility and job opportunities because they are likely to travel for work where they can manage power lines in various regions.
What is a lineworker’s work environment like?
Linemen operate outside under a variety of circumstances. They frequently have to travel to get to work locations. Interprovincial travel may be mandatory for Red Seal holders.
Lineworkers operate as a team, with multiple people working on a project. If they have sufficient experience and the job is suitable for one person, they may also occasionally work alone.
The weather may play a role because they work outside. When conditions improve, lineworkers may return to finish a job if the weather makes it too dangerous. When operating on overhead electrical distribution systems, lineworkers must also consider working at heights.
The labor may require lifting, reaching, and transporting equipment or goods, and it can be rather physically demanding.
What are the Basic Skills needed to become a Lineman?
Proficient linemen must have the following abilities:
Stamina and fitness are required because the job requires them to climb poles, work in inclement weather, and lift heavy equipment. Then, they must use problem-solving skills because they must use critical thinking to identify and resolve problems quickly.
Also, to become a professional lineman, you need attention to detail skills. This is because accuracy is essential when working with complex systems and high-voltage equipment, and resilience because the work can be physically taxing and stressful, particularly in emergencies.
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FAQs
A lineman is a skilled worker solely responsible for handling electrical power and telecommunication systems.
They construct, maintain, and repair electrical systems. Once electricity and telecommunication are concerned, Linemen play a vital role.
They provide these services to firms, homes, and businesses. Aside from their major roles, they also solve challenges related to weather, high altitude, and space.
Here are the types of Linemen:
Power Linemen
Telecommunications Linemen
Distribution Linemen
Transmission linemen
Conclusion
Becoming a lineman is a rewarding career path for those who enjoy hands-on work, are physically fit, and thrive in challenging environments. With the right training, certifications, and dedication, you can secure a stable job with competitive pay and growth opportunities.
Whether you’re drawn by the high salary, the essential role linemen play in keeping power flowing, or the adventure of working outdoors, this profession offers long-term value. As demand for skilled tradespeople continues to grow, now is a great time to explore how to become a lineman and take the first step toward a fulfilling and impactful career.
References
- Auto.edu- what-is-a-lineman
- ziprecruiter.com- What-Is-How-to-Become
- Ca.indeed.com-how-to-become-a-lineman
