Lineman Program

The Apprenticeship Process

Follow a step-by-step review of the steps needed to successfully apply for and complete the training for a rewarding career as a journeyman lineman.

Step 1

Determine if being a lineman is right for you
Being a journeyman lineman isn't for everyone. Although the job pays well and provides excellent benefits, a lineman is often asked to work outside in unfriendly weather conditions, climb high poles (if you're afraid of heights, you can stop reading right now) 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 some basic qualifications. You must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED and you must have a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with air-brakes and manual transmission*, a Department of Motor Vehicle physical exam and pass an aptitude test to be accepted into the program. Applicants must also submit a $30 payment at the time of application.


* If under 21 with a CDL from a state different that the state you applied for, you will have 60 days to get a CDL in the state you applied for.

Step 3

Interview Day
When your aptitude test is passed, you'll go through an interview with a committee made up of line contractors and members of the local union. After the interview, each committee member will give you a score from 0-100 based on everything they've learned about your background, attitude, interests, etc.

Step 4

Scoring your Interview and the Ranking List
Your scores from the interview will be averaged. That average score is slotted into a ranking list that contains all previous applicants who have yet to be called into the program and those applicants that might apply after you. So, if you score high, you'll move right to the top of the list regardless of how long other applicants have been waiting. Your name will stay on the list for a period of 1 year. If we have not called you within that 1 year, your name will be removed from the list. If you don’t like your ranking, you can reapply after 90 days, providing you have worked 450 hours of work in the electrical line construction industry or completed 2 post-secondary industry related classes since your original interview date. The re-interview form is available for download under Apprentice Resources.

Step 5

Getting The Call

When a new apprentice is needed, and if your name is at the top of the list, you'll receive a call and be told when to report for a pre-apprenticeship orientation(boot camp) class. In some cases, you may need to respond to this call in a short amount of time.

Step 6

Pre-Apprenticeship Orientation

This intensive pre-apprenticeship orientation(boot camp) at the training center in Iowa covers many of the basics (drug testing, rules and regulations, first aid, CPR, etc.). You'll also receive training in the skill that linemen are most recognized for — climbing poles. After you complete the orientation class, you are officially an apprentice lineman. Congratulations.

Step 7

Field 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 lineman requires that you work full time for nearly four years as an apprentice (7,000 hours minimum). During this time, you'll advance through seven (7) steps of the program. Your pay rate will increase with each additional step, 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.

Step 8

Graduation

After you've completed your training and class work, you'll graduate with your journeyman lineman's certification and can begin working anywhere in the world.

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MIDWEST LINE COLLEGE
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Buckingham
EICA
IBEW and NECA

Since 1941, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) have partnered to train linemen. Missouri Valley Line Constructors is proud to represent this partnership in the upper Midwest states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri.

IBEW NECA
EICA
EICA