Outside Construction

Construction Lineman Program

The 7th District Construction Lineman Program was developed for workers with adequate proof of experience/hours worked in the trade but do not qualify to challenge the JY Lineman test. Eligible participants must complete a monthly evaluation and log all hours worked. Hours in trade qualify for wage percentage of JY Lineman scale. Applicants may take JY Lineman exam upon completion of program.

Transmission Technician

The transmission technician program is an 8 level classification for construction/maintenance of de-energized transmission line projects. Technician levels are based on time in trade and skill set. Trans Techs can build/set structures, install conductor and other aspects of transmission work. (This program does not qualify you for JY Lineman exam because Transmission Techs are not allowed to do ANY energized work including installation of master grounds.)

Substation Technician

The substation technician program is a 3 level classification for construction/maintenance of de-energized projects. Technician levels are based on time in trade and skill set. Subtechs are utilized on de-energized work inside and pertaining to construction and operation of the sub. (This program does not qualify you for the JY Lineman exam because Substation Technicians are not allowed to do ANY energized work including installation of master grounds.)

Equipment Operator

The operator classification includes a wide range of equipment from cranes, boom trucks, dozer/loaders, directional boring, and all types of small tracked equipment such as skid steers, mini excavator etc. Operators are also expected to be capable of completing physical tasks associated with ground work. We currently have two (2) operator classifications which are:

Small Equipment Operator
Large equipment Operator
(Requires NCCCO crane cert)

Groundman

The groundman classification is an entry level position into the Outside Construction field. You learn the material used, processes and safety culture associated with the daily operation of our industry. Groundman are utilized for semi-skilled manual labor as well as digging holes and trenching. We offer two (3) groundman classifications which are:

1st year Groundman
Experienced Groundman (CDL license)
Truck driver w/ Winch (CDL license)

The objectives of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers are:

Objectives

To organize all workers in the entire electrical industry in the United States and Canada, including all those in public utilities and electrical manufacturing, into local unions,
To promote reasonable methods of work,
To cultivate feelings of friendship among those of our industry,
To settle all disputes between employers and employees by arbitration (if possible),
To assist each other in sickness or distress,
To secure employment,
To reduce the hours of daily labor,
To secure adequate pay for our work,
To seek a higher and higher standard of living,
To seek security for the individual,
And by legal and proper means to elevate the moral, intellectual and social conditions of our members, their families and dependents, in the interest of a higher standard of citizenship.

Outside Apprenticeship Training

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (SWLCAT)
The Southwestern Line Constructors Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program was created to provide quality apprenticeship and training programs for the Outside Electrical Construction Industry. Our focus is clear and unwavering: we are committed to producing the industry’s finest craftsmen, and have met employers training needs for nearly a half century. This program covers the states of Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

We are an independent training agency operating under the auspices on the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. Our national and international affiliations insure consistent training and credentials that are recognized universally. Our program is registered with, and monitored by, the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. We continually seek individuals who are enthusiastic and motivated, and who have the aptitude to work in a challenging work environment. The men and women who build, repair, and maintain electric power lines, and related systems, can look forward to a demanding, but rewarding career. Visit there website www.swlcat.orgor click the link that says Apply Now and begin your Journey!!!!

QUALIFICATIONS:

VALID CLASS A COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE
VALID D.O.T. MEDICAL CARD
18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER

Lineman Apprenticeship

Offered in Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Beaumont and Houston, TX.

Apprenticeship Requirements-

18 Years of Age
Class A CDL. If you have a manual restriction, you have 120 days from date of indenture to get that removed.
Completed Application
Acknowledge EEOC statement
Work History
Medical Examiner’s Certificate
DD214 if applicable
Application Fees $30/area
Pass ETA aptitude test prior to interviewing

Nature of Work-

The work of this craft is chiefly concerned with the erection of poles and towers, the stringing of overhead lines, the installation of underground systems, the installation and connection of sub-stations and all types of maintenance and modification of the above.

Practically all of the line work is performed out of doors and lineman are exposed to all types of weather conditions, in fact, much of the emergency work in this field is occasioned by extreme weather conditions. Much of the work is at heights ranging from 40 to several hundred feet off of the ground and lineman must be physically capable of climbing up and down metal towers, wood poles and other structures. They must handle heavy equipment and other materials while suspended from towers by safety belt and from wood poles, while standing on climbers and suspended by safety belt.

Linemen are required to perform work on energized lines and equipment. These extreme hazardous conditions require that lineman be capable of performing their work at all times in a safe manner, to be thoroughly familiar with the tools and equipment involved, and be able to get along with other members of the crew. Construction linemen are also frequently called upon to work in close harmony with customer personnel, and must be capable of coordinating their efforts accordingly.

Due to the nature of the work, construction linemen are expected to travel and live away from home for a portion of the time. Linemen are not reimbursed for expenses while traveling away from home.

Primary hazards of the trade involve falling, exposure to electrical burns (both high and low voltage) and injury due to reaching, lifting and carrying. This occupation requires a high degree of physical strength and endurance.

Job Description-

An apprentice lineman works under the supervision of journeyman lineman and assists many essential tasks on power distribution systems:

Construction (de-energized distribution systems)
Placement of footings
Assembly and erection of metal towers
Framing and erection of wood poles
Installation of anchors, guys, insulators and conductors
Assembly and erection of steel and wood substations
Installation and connection of busses, grounds, switches, circuit breakers, transformers, regulators, and other related equipment
Installation and splicing of underground cables and related equipment
Maintenance (energized distribution systems)
Pole and conductor replacement
Changing insulators and cross-arms
Changing and installing transformers, capacitors, regulators, switches and other distribution devices
Rubber glove work on energized primary circuits
Hot stick work on distribution and sub-transmission voltages (generally in the 2,400 to 34,500 volt range)
Additional tasks
Installation and maintenance of series and multiple street lighting systems, traffic control systems, and associated control systems

The term of apprenticeship shall be 7,000 hours of on-the-job training and may require more than three and one half years to complete in view of possible employment lapses.

Each apprentice shall be required to complete three years of related instruction away from the job. Time spent in related instruction, at home and/ or in the classroom shall be in addition to the 7,000 hours of on-the-job training, and is not considered hours of work.

Substation Tech Apprenticeship

Offered in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Houston, TX.

Nature of Work

Linemen are required to perform work on energized lines and equipment. These extreme hazardous conditions require that lineman be capable of performing their work at all times in a safe manner; to be thoroughly familiar with the tools and equipment involved, and be able to get along with other members of the crew. Construction linemen are also frequently called upon to work in close harmony with customer personnel, and must be capable of coordinating their efforts with such people.

Due to the nature of the work, construction linemen are expected to travel and live away from home for a portion of the time. Linemen are not reimbursed for expenses while traveling away from home.

Primary hazards of the trade involve falling, exposure to electrical burns ( both high and low voltage ) and injury due to reaching, lifting and carrying. This occupation requires a high degree of physical strength and endurance.

Job Description

In order to acquire the necessary skills of the trade in its various categories, the Sub-station Technician Apprentice shall be provided with on the job training in the following categories:

Grounding-Construction of protective grounding grid for electrical systems, controls, cabinets, transformers, control houses, fences and steel structures.
Foundations-Installing foundations and bases for control cabinets, transformers control houses and steel structures. All digging, trenching, rebar construction, utility location and conduit installations. (includes pole boxes and manholes)
Fence–Layout and build protective parameter and/or security fence for sub-station and public protection. Knowledge and understanding of minimum approach distance while work in the vicinity of energized circuits.
Layouts-Plan and layout work from blue prints, diagrams or utility specification sheets.
Wiring- Cable pulling, coding, wiring and terminating of cables for electrical systems, control monitoring and communication within the sub-station and outside sources.
Steel Structures- Erection of steel support structures for high voltage electrical apparatus and construction of steel control houses for monitor and switching.
Transformers- Installation, connection and service of sub-station transformers and circuit breakers for maintenance and new construction.

BUS INSTALLATION

Condit- Bending and installation of isolated high voltage pipe or bus for distribution connections within sub-station between transmission lines, distribution lines and transformers.
Strain Bus- Installation of suspended wire used as bus for distribution connections within sub-station between transmission lines, distribution lines and transformers.
Bus Welding- Welding of conduit used as bus for circuit connections within sub-station. Welding of various materials and welding techniques uses in different applications.

SWITCHES

Installations and Adjustment- Assembly of switching gear for transmission and distribution of high voltage.

Apprenticeship Requirements

18 Years of Age
Completed Application
Acknowledge EEOC statement
Work History
Driver’s License. Once indentured, apprentice has 12 months from date of indenture to obtain a Class A CDL with NO restrictions.
DD214 if applicable
Application Fees $30/area
Pass ETA aptitude test prior to interviewing.

The term of apprenticeship shall be 7,000 hours of on-the-job training and may require more than three and one half years to complete in view of possible employment lapses.