Become A Substation Technician
Closed
Substation Technician Apprenticeship
As a journeyman Substation Technician you will build, maintain, operate, and repair electrical power substations, switchyards, and associated systems. When you apply for the California-Nevada Substation Technician 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 Substation Technician from the California-Nevada JATC program.
What Is An Apprentice?
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 is with the IBEW Locals 47, 1245 and 396 covers all of California and Nevada.
Work will require travel to stations many miles apart, working primarily outdoors in various locations depending on the employer. These technicians must be able to work with schematics and a variety of circuit breakers, power cables, and transformers, and this work can be somewhat dangerous and requires a great deal of knowledge to safely handle this equipment.
They may work alone or with other technicians to complete tasks and ensure safety among employees.
Classes
Each apprentice attends three years of related training and weeklong 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), 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 Substation Technician.
Career
Journeyman Substation Technicians build, maintain, operate, and repair electrical power substations, switchyards, and associated systems. Every project is complex, challenging, rewarding, and requires careful management of a skilled team of professional power workers. The construction, operation, and maintenance of substations and switchyards involves special skills and advanced technologies. In addition, workmanship must be of the highest quality because the station and switchyard will operate unattended for 30 years or longer when the project is done.
As an extension of the outside line series of electrical crafts, Journeyman Substation Technicians work alongside Mechanical, Civil, Structural, and Electrical engineers, Journeymen Lineman, Journeymen Wiremen, apprentices, operators, and laborers from these and other trade classifications. Each specialized electrical worker brings unique skills and abilities to assist the Journeymen Substation Technician in their work to complete these projects as a ‘jack of many trades’ and a Master of one, the Electrical Substation & Switchyard.
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 Substation Technician’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 Substation Technician’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 Substation Technician Wage for California: $70.16 (as of 6-1-2024)
Nevada
Current journeyman Substation Technician 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.
