Substation Apprentices
Substation Program
As a Substation Technician you will build, maintain, operate, and repair electrical power substations, switchyards, and associated systems.
What Is An Apprenticeship Program?
Apprenticeship is a training strategy that combines supervised, structured on-the-job training with related theoretical instruction. The training program is sponsored by employers or labor/management groups that have the ability to hire and train in a work environment. Apprenticeship prepares people for skilled employment, with the content of the training defined and dictated by the needs of a particular industry.
Program Requirements
Typical apprenticeship programs span 3-5 years with a minimum of 144 hours of related supplemental instruction each year. The program requirements are clearly delineated in Federal & State laws and regulations. A registered apprenticeship requires a signed, written agreement (indenture) between the sponsor and apprentice. The apprentice agrees to perform the work faithfully with diligence and to complete the related course study.
Substation Technician Apprenticeship Process
Apprentice Substation Technicians assist the journeymen in building and maintaining electrical power Substations and Switchyards. The apprenticeship program at the California-Nevada JATC combines supervised, structured on-the-job training with related classroom instruction to prepare you for skilled employment within the industry.
Review the steps needed to successfully apply for and complete the training for a rewarding career as a journeyman Substation Technician.
Step 1: Determine if being a Substation Technician is right for you
Being a journeyman Substation Technician isn’t for everyone. Although the job pays well and provides excellent benefits, a Substation Technician is often asked to work outside in unfriendly weather conditions and do physically and mentally demanding work. The job can also require a fair amount of travel, which can mean many nights away from home.
Step 2: Complete the Application Process
To apply for the apprenticeship program, you must meet the minimum requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED. You must have a valid unrestricted COMMERCIAL Drivers license. Applications can be completed online from our website during our open application period.
Although you are not required to have any previous experience, any experience or training you do have may allow you to take an accelerated path in our program. Submitting your documentation along with your application will allow us to assess where to place you based on your previous work experience or vocational training.
Step 3: Aptitude Test
Once your application is accepted, you will be scheduled for an aptitude test at the JATC office in Riverside. You will be required to pass an aptitude test before interviewing with the Committee.
Step 4: Interview Day
Once your application is accepted, and you have passed the aptitude test, you will be scheduled for an interview at the JATC office. You’ll go through an interview with the Committee, which is made up of line contractors and members of the local union. After the interview, each Committee member scores you based on everything they’ve learned about your background, attitude, interests, etc.
Step 5: Interviews and the Eligibility List
Your scores from the interview will be averaged. That average score is slotted into an eligibility list that contains all previous applicants who have yet to be offered indenture into the program. So, if you score high, you’ll move right to the top of the list regardless of how long other applicants have been waiting. Applicants that interview in the next cycle will be added to the same list, in the same manner. If you are not indentured, your name will be removed from the list after two years.
Step 6: Getting The Call
When a contractor needs an apprentice, they call the training office in Riverside. When all currently indentured apprentices have been dispatched to work by our office, candidates will be offered an indenture by the Committee based on their ranking on the current eligibility list. If your name is at the top of the list, you’ll receive an offer for indenture first and be notified when and where to report for the orientation class.
Step 7: Pre-Apprenticeship Orientation
Selected candidates are required to successfully complete an orientation class. This pre-apprenticeship orientation covers many of the basics (drug testing, rules and regulations, basic material identification, general work procedures, etc.). After you complete the orientation class, you are officially an apprentice Substation Technician. Congratulations!
Step 8: On the Job Training and Classroom Instruction
After orientation, you’ll be assigned to a crew so that you can gain valuable hands-on training in the field. At the same time you begin work in the field, you’ll also begin regular classroom instruction in safety, electrical theory, circuitry, transformer connections and more.
Completing the training and instruction and becoming a journeyman Substation Technician requires that you work full time for nearly four years as an apprentice (7,000 hours). During this time, you’ll advance through seven (7) steps of the program. After completing each of these steps, your pay rate will increase, coming closer and closer to that of the journeymen linemen you’re working and training with. In order to learn all aspects of the trade, most apprentices get to work for more than one contractor during their time in the program.
Minimum Requirements
What do I need to apply?
- Must be a minimum of 18 years of age
- Must have acquired a high school diploma or G.E.D
- Must have a valid unrestricted Commercial Drivers License
- Needs to be willing to travel
Our jurisdiction covers the states of California & Nevada. Our apprentices are required to travel anywhere within those two states.
Documentation Requirements
- A completed online Application for Apprenticeship
- Official High School Transcriptions (for all high schools attended)
- High School Diploma -CLEAR- readable copy OR G.E.D – Certified copy of G.E.D. (Including official transcript of G.E.D TEST RESULTS)
- Proof of age indicating that you are 18 years of age or older. Copy of Commerical Drivers License is acceptable.
- Name Change – If you have had a name change, please submit official documentation to verify the change (i.e. if the name on your birth certificate is different from your birth certificate or school transcripts)
- Provide evidence of having a valid unrestricted COMMERCIAL Drivers License by submitting a copy fo the License.
Priority Interview Requirements
- Trade related Experience:
You must provide undisputable documentation confirming you have worked a minimum of 1,750 hours of on-the-job training experience as a groundman, substation technician, fabricator technician or other like classification.
The following documentation is acceptable: 1) A printout of dispatch hours provided by an IBEW local union-must include name, hours worked, classification and dates. 2) A letter from the Company in which experience was gained, on their official letterhead, stating name, hours worked, classification and dates. 3) Copies of payroll stubs which state classification and hours worked. Lineschool/Training Program: - Approved Lineschool/Training Program:
You must provide undisputable documentation confirming your completion of an ETA approved Line School/Training Program consisting of at least 400 hours, focusing on the electrical line construction trade (must include climbing and other trade related experience applicable to that of a Lineman or Line apprentice). This documentation must be comprised of OFFICIAL transcripts and copies of completion certificate(s). - Veteran:
You must submit a DD-214 to verify military training and that you are an honorably discharged military veteran (MUST be within 5 years from discharge date).
Recommended Inclusions
Documentation of past outside electrical work experience (if applicable).
Completion certificate from line school and official transcripts
Current First Aid/CPR card, OSHA 10 ET&D Card
Current Flagging/ Traffic Control certification
Industry related certifications – i.e. Crane Operator, Heavy Equipment, etc.
Or any other college or trade school transcripts, which you feel to be applicable.
NOTE: Your application will not be accepted if it is not completely filled out, or you fail to submit any of the required documents listed above in items 1 through 6.
Important Application Documents
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Information Sheet for Reapplying-Substation Program This sheet is only for applicants who are reapplying to our Substation program and it has been less than 2 years. |
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Notice of Apprenticeship Substation Opportunity Please see attached notice for our next open application period beginning January 6, 2025. |
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Information Sheet for Submitting Substation Application Please note-we do not accept documents in person or by mail, everything must be uploaded with your application. See attached list of documents to upload with your application. |
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EEOC Pledge |
The Application Process
Your first step to becoming a California-Nevada Substation Technician Apprentice is to submit a completed application online with all required documentation.
When our application period is open, you can submit an application online.
Go to this website to apply. If you do not already have an account with us, you will need to create an account. You will not be able to fill out an online application until our application period is open.
After we have received your completed application
Once we have received your completed online application with all the required documents, it will be reviewed. This can take several months. If you meet the requirements, we will email you a letter with the next step. If your application was not accepted, the letter emailed will explain the reason why and what you will need for the next application period.
If your application meets the minimum requirements, you will be scheduled for an aptitude test at the JATC office in Riverside. You will be required to pass an aptitude test before interviewing with the Committee. Applicants who qualify for a direct interview will have priority to take an aptitude test. Click the button below, then select the “Instructions for the sample test” tab for more information on the aptitude test.
After passing the aptitude test, you will be scheduled for an oral interview with our Committee members. Interviews are scheduled in the order completed applications are received and accepted. Applicants who qualify for a direct interview will have priority.
Interviews for the Substation Technician Apprenticeship Program
Interviews are conducted by our Committee members. Interviews last approximately 15 to 20 minutes. You will have the opportunity to impress upon our board why you are a good candidate for the apprenticeship. Each candidate is scored on various criteria by each interviewer. Each candidate will receive a letter shortly after their interview stating their rank on our eligibility list. This list determines the order in which candidates are offered apprenticeship positions.
Upon completion of the interviews, all interview scores are averaged, and the candidate receives an overall score. Once all applicants’ scores are compiled, a list is created naming the person with the highest score in the number 1 rank position.
Your entry into the Apprenticeship Program
Applicants are offered apprenticeship positions based on industry need. California-Nevada Line Contractors contact the California-Nevada JATC when an apprentice is needed on a crew. When all currently indentured apprentices have been dispatched to work by our office, candidates will be offered an indenture by the Committee based on their ranking on the current eligibility list.
Selected candidates are required to successfully complete a climbing/orientation class. The class will consist of wood pole, and steel tower climbing; rigging, pole top rescue, basic material identification, and general work procedures.
Each year offers a unique situation and will dictate the number of applicants offered apprenticeships.
