Career at a Glance

How much do you know about being a substation technician? This page answers many of the questions we receive from people applying for the apprenticeship program. Read on, because you may be surprised to learn about what substation technicians do, how they are trained and the opportunities available to them.

What will you do?

As a substation technician, play a vital role in ensuring that businesses, institutions and homeowners have the electrical power needed to maintain their operations.

What type of education do you need?

You'll need more than a GED/high school diploma to begin a career as a substation technician. Because of the skills and knowledge required, post secondary training and/or an apprenticeship through organizations like the Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship and Training Program is a must.

What skills and knowledge are needed?

Your success as a substation technician will be dependent on your knowledge of electricity, physical strength and stamina, ability to work in nearly all weather conditions, and technical capacity to understand drawings and diagrams. The Missouri Valley Line Constructors and Apprentice Training Program is the best and most respected way to learn these skills.

What types of certification are needed?

Substations technicians are required to have an IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) ticket, CPR training ,OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) certification and other credentials. Your apprenticeship training program will prepare you for these certifications.

What are your career prospects as a substation technician?

With proper training and ongoing educations substation technicians can advance to supervisory positions. With further education, technicians may move on to project management roles and support for manufacturers or suppliers.

Where will you find work?

Substation technicians work in all areas including cities and rural areas.

How much will you make?

Substation technicians have the potential to make a minimum of $60,000 per year based on experience and workload. That's in addition to the attractive benefit packages substation technicians receive. You'll begin earning that wage when you start your apprenticeship training program.

What is the job outlook?

As long as individual and business need electrical power, there will always be a need for highly trained and dedicated substation technicians.