Frequently Asked Questions About Apprenticeship

Do I choose which contractor I will work for? Each apprentice is assigned to their jobs. Journeymen linemen, groundmen, equipment operators, etc. are referred to their jobs. In order to obtain the diversity in all types of training, most apprentices will get to work for more than one contractor during their apprenticeship.

How long does it take to complete the training? The Outside Lineman program is set up as a 3 ½ year apprenticeship. However, each individual completes at a different time. There is a minimum of 7,000 total hours of required on-the-job training. Of these 7,000 hours, there are specific amounts of required types of training. An apprentice may be in the program beyond the 7,000 hours while working on the specific type of training. Some apprenticeship periods last longer than 3 ½ years due to layoff periods.

How do the classes work? Apprentices are assigned to a specific class for instruction and will attend classes according to their class schedule and designated training facility location. Week long training classes are held Tuesday-Friday at our Riverside or Woodland Training facility. In addition to classroom instruction, apprentices are required to attend two (2) week long pole yard training classes per academic school year. First year apprentices attend a 40 hour Orientation/Climbing Class and a 40 hour Work Methods Training Class. Second year apprentices attend a 40 hour Underground Training Class and a 40 hour Rubber Glove Training Class. Third year apprentices attend a 40 hour Hot Sticks Training Class and a 32 hour Crane Certification Training Class. Room and board are not provided for apprentices while attending class at our facilities.

How much traveling do I get to do? Power lines are built on site. This allows the apprentices/employee to work in many different locations. After completing their apprenticeship, many Journeyman Linemen choose to travel and work all across the country, while others remain more regional. Some even take jobs overseas working on power lines for foreign companies, while others prefer to stay working in one area. Apprentices must take any on-the-job training that is assigned by the JATC within our jurisdiction.

How much does this training cost? There are no up front out-of-pocket costs associated with the California-Nevada Power Lineman Apprenticeship Program. All tuition fees (approx $31,000.) are waived if you work for a contributing contractor for a period of five years or 8,000 hours after completing step six in the seven-step program. Otherwise, you will be required to pay the full tuition costs for every 2,000 hours worked. The amount owed will be prorated. All safety related tools (hard hat, rubber gloves, safety glasses etc.) are paid for and provided by the contractors. The apprentices must buy (or have) hand tools and climbing tools. Hand tools consist of lineman's pliers, hammer, crescent wrench, channel locks, skinning knife, etc. Climbing tools consist of a body belt, pole strap (safety) and climbers (hooks). To buy (top of the line) all required tools will cost approximately $1,500.00. Many applicants already have some of the required hand tools and some may already have the climbing tools. The tuition cost for this four year program costs $31,000.00. However, there are two options that the apprentice has for paying this training cost. First, the individual can pay for it outright -or- secondly, they can continue to work for the contractors for 5 years or 8,000 hours after leaving the program, at which time the amount would be "worked off". With this second option, the apprentice does not have to pay any money for the training.

What is the pay scale? There are seven step levels in the program and apprentice's pay rate is based on their step level. Each step level is a percentage of the journeyman lineman's wage rate for that local (each local is different). A 1st step, entry level apprentice makes 60% and each level after that is a 5% increase. So a 7th step (highest level) makes 90% of the journeyman lineman's wage. After an apprentice completes all the requirements and passes the Journeyman Lineman Exam, their apprenticeship is then complete and they make 100% of the journeyman lineman's wage. The AVERAGE journeyman lineman's wage for this area is $62.23 per hour. Contact the local union or apprentice office to find out the current journeyman lineman's wage for that local.