Become A Journeyman Lineman
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Power Lineman Apprenticeship
As a journeyman lineman you’ll build, maintain and repair the power lines that carry electricity to homes and businesses. When you apply for the California-Nevada Outside Lineman Program you’ll be taking the first step to a career that not only has a tremendous impact on the people you serve, but one that will have a positive impact on your future as well. After completion of this program, you can be proud to say, you are a journeyman lineman from the California-Nevada JATC program.
What Is An Apprentice?
Apprentice linemen assist the journeymen linemen in building and maintaining electrical power systems. The apprenticeship program at California-Nevada JATC combines supervised, structured on-the-job training with related classroom instruction to prepare you for skilled employment within the industry. Because you are working and learning at the same time, apprentices are considered full-time employees.
Wages are paid to you during the on-the-job phase of training. Wages increase as progress is made in the program. A Department of Labor registered apprenticeship requires a signed, written agreement (indenture) between the program and apprentice. You agree to perform the work faithfully with diligence and to complete the related course study. A contractor agrees to make every effort to keep you employed and to comply with the standards established for the program.
Travel Requirements
As an apprentice of the California-Nevada JATC, you will work under a three local agreement. This agreement with the IBEW Locals 47, 1245 and 396 covers all of California and Nevada. Because of workloads in other areas, you may be asked to travel outside the three local area. As an apprentice you have the right to decide whether or not to accommodate this request. This is the only time an Apprentice will have the option of turning down a dispatch.
Classes
Each apprentice attends three years of related training and twelve week long training classes throughout their apprenticeship.
Apprentices are required to attend week-long 4-day classes (each 4-day session will be for a total of 40 hours), four times per academic year, for specialized training at our Riverside or Woodland training facilities.
Classes introduce students to job related information and hands-on training. These classes are a very important part of the apprenticeship program and work in conjunction with the on-the-job training in preparing each apprentice to become a journeyman lineman.
Training includes climbing, distribution, transmission hot sticking, along with related safety topics, rigging & transformer skills.
First year apprentices attend a 40 hour Orientation/Climbing Class and 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.
Classes and Tuition
Each apprentice attends three years of related training as scheduled along with six week-long (specialized) training classes throughout their apprenticeship.
When are classes?
The California-Nevada Power Lineman Apprenticeship Program is a four year “earn while you learn” school consisting of a minimum of 7,000 hours of on-the-job training and related academic classes. Of these hours, there are specific amounts of required training hours that an apprentice must complete. An apprentice may be in the program beyond the 7,000 hours while working on a specific type of training.
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 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.
Tuition and Fees
There are no out-of-pocket tuition 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 of 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.
Although your tuition is covered, there will be some additional expenses you will be responsible for. These include, but may not be limited to:
• Apprentices are required to pay all lodging costs unless it is related to storm work.
• Apprentices must provide their own hand tools and climbing tools.
College Credit
Because your apprenticeship is more than just on-the-job training, you earn college credit through Santiago Canyon College for your related and supplemental classroom instruction.
By the completion of your apprenticeship, you will have earned 24 semester units, satisfied the requirements for a Certificate of Achievement, and satisfied the major requirements for an Associate in Sciences degree*.
*Associate degrees require a total of 60 units – 24 major requirement units (satisfied by completing your apprenticeship), 24 general education units, and 12 elective units. Apprentices seeking a degree should contact a California Community College counselor for more details.
Wages & Benefits
The California-Nevada Power Lineman Apprenticeship is an ‘EARN while you LEARN’ program.
Being treated as a full-time employee not only assures you of an adequate wage, but also provides a range of benefits associated with full-time employment.
Wages
As an apprentice, your pay rate is calculated as a percentage of the journeyman lineman’s rate. With each advancement (one step every six months and 1,000 OJT hours), you can receive a pay raise on your way to earning 100% of a journeyman lineman’s rate. Once you achieve journeyman status, your pay is based on established national standards.
The apprenticeship is broken down into seven steps, of 1,000 hours and 6 months per step. Each step marks the apprentice’s progression through their apprenticeship.
California
Current Journeyman Wage for California:
$70.16 (as of 6-1-2024)
Nevada
Current Journeyman Wage for Nevada: $58.73 (as of 6-1-2024)
Seven Steps
- 1st Step 1000 hours 60% of Journeyman Wage
- 2nd Step 2000 hours 65% of Journeyman Wage
- 3rd Step 3000 hours 70% of Journeyman Wage
- 4th Step 4000 hours 75% of Journeyman Wage
- 5th Step 5000 hours 80% of Journeyman Wage
- 6th Step 6000 hours 85% of Journeyman Wage
- 7th Step 7000 hours 90% of Journeyman Wage
In addition to great wages, you will also receive a variety of benefits for you and your family.
Medical Insurance
As an apprentice or journeyman lineman, you’ll receive health insurance benefits for yourself and your dependent family, including health, dental and vision insurance. This insurance is provided 100% by the electrical industry and is not deducted from your paycheck. The health insurance plan provided allows you to see any doctor you wish, anywhere in the country.
Retirement Plans
In a time when most companies are cutting back on retirement benefits, the journeyman lineman profession offers two outstanding retirement benefits to ensure you and your family of a secure financial future.
National Electrical Annuity Plan
Under this plan, you will receive a retirement benefit of 15% to 25% of your gross pay, depending on your local union. This amount is paid by the electrical contractors and is not deducted from your paycheck.
National Electrical Benefit Fund
This multi-employer defined benefit plan provides monthly contributions of 3% of gross pay for electrical workers associated with participating local unions of the IBEW. Journeymen and apprentices receive the benefit as part of their compensation package when they work for a contributing employer. Vesting in the fund takes just five years. Your benefit is secure once you have earned five service credits. Generally, you earn one service credit a year.
Career
You’ll need more than a GED/high school diploma to begin a career as a journeyman lineman. Because of the skills and knowledge required, post secondary training and/or an apprenticeship through organizations like the California-Nevada JATC Program is a must. Your success as a journeyman lineman will be dependent on your knowledge of electricity, physical strength and stamina, ability to work at heights in nearly all weather conditions, and technical capacity to understand drawings and diagrams. The California-Nevada Power Lineman Apprenticeship Program is the best and most respected way to learn these skills.
With proper training and ongoing education, journeymen linemen can advance to supervisory positions. Some may go into teaching/training or manage their own electrical contracting business. In addition, throughout the training process and on-the-job experience, you’ll be learning valuable skills which you can put to good use in your future. These include interpersonal communications, supervision, project management and teamwork skills.
