Electrical Lineworker
The Electrical Lineworker Program is designed to train individuals who seek to become entry-level electrical line workers for private and public utility companies and related employers. Students will learn the academic and field skills necessary for entry-level positions. Safety is stressed in every aspect of the coursework. Students will have the opportunity to earn certificates for National Flagger, T&D OSHA 10, CPR-First Aid, Pipes Plus 811, NCCER Core, Electrical Line Workers Level 1 and 2, and 360 hr. Pre-Apprenticeship. This program is approved for national certification by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and for Pre-Apprentice credit by the N.C. Community College System and Department of Labor and credit towards their state and nationally recognized journeyman credentials.
Participants will learn the skills and knowledge required of a line crew helper. They will learn to set and climb poles, install crossarms, hardware, line, and transformers. They will learn how to use various tools and equipment of the trade through actual field experience. Overhead and underground construction practices will also be taught along with associated subjects such as basic electricity, transformers, etc. Classroom training will cover safety, electrical theory, interviewing skills, and the importance of attitude and teamwork to succeed in today’s work environment. Participants will be exposed to classroom instruction along with physically demanding outdoor construction work in varying weather conditions. Students will be assigned to crews for the more demanding tasks and for actual crew experience. Safety and teamwork will be stressed throughout the course. Participants will be expected to become accustomed to heights while pole climbing and to complete a variety of tasks while on the pole.
Lineworker, Groundsman, and Supervisor.
North Carolina – $18.00 – $25.00 per hour. *Average salaries may vary with company, position and location.
Upon completion students should be able to:
- Operate work vehicles.
- Install, maintain, or repair the power lines that move and distribute electricity.
- Identify defective devices, circuit breakers, fuses, voltage regulators, transformers, and switches.
- Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment.
- String power lines between poles, towers, and buildings.
- Climb poles and transmission towers and use truck-mounted buckets to get to equipment.
- Operate power equipment when installing and repairing poles, towers, and lines.
- Follow safety standards and procedures.
To apply for admission into the program, the applicant must have the following prerequisites and physical health requirements. Additionally, all students must attend and successfully complete a mandatory class offered monthly. This is a one day, four-hour orientation titled, HRD: Introduction to Electrical Lineworker. Once complete, you will be placed on a chronological waitlist. If you choose to move forward you will then be contacted to register for the full program as courses are scheduled and space becomes available.
Enrollment is limited and based on a first come, first serve basis.
Prerequisites
- A high school diploma or G.E.D. is required.
- Must be at least 18 years old by the first day of classes to enroll.
- Must have a valid driver’s license.
- Weigh less than 275lbs.
- No felonies. This may significantly prohibit employment opportunities in the industry.
- Successfully complete the HRD: Introduction to Electrical Lineworker class, offered monthly. Call 336-734-7718 for registration information and course dates.
ATTENTION VETERANS
If you plan to use your VA benefits, please call our VA Officer, Paige Lee, at 336-734-7403 as soon as possible. In addition, if using benefits, you must submit your high school and any college transcripts 30 days prior to registering as follows:
Attn: Northwest Forsyth Center
Amanda Sattler
Forsyth Tech
2100 Silas Creek Parkway,
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
If you do not plan to use your benefits, you may register and pay the $276 registration fee after receiving approval.
Physical Health
- Must be able to lift 75 lbs. Materials and equipment will be lifted off of machinery, shelving, and the ground.
- Must be able to operate safely while being aware of your surroundings.
- Must be able to work in an elevated position.
- Must be able to handle strenuous activities such as pulling, climbing, walking, carrying, or standing for extended periods of time.
- Must be able to work in any weather condition safely.
- Must be physically and mentally able to operate vehicles such as a bucket truck, digger truck, trencher, etc.
| ITEM | COST |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee $180.00, Tech Fee $5.00, Supply Fee $50.00, OSHA Card $8.00 + First Aid Card $18.00, CAPS Fee $5.00, DOT Flagger manual $10 | $276.00 |
| Lineworker Boots (this amount or more depending on source) | $200.00 |
| TOTAL COST $476.00 |
|---|
(Note: Parking permits are available at Forsyth Tech’s Northwest Forsyth Center and West Campus Cashier.)
Forsyth Tech’s 11 week Lineworker program in King, which is offered four times throughout the year with a cap of 24 students per class. The program provides students with the academic and field skills necessary to qualify as entry-level line workers.
More than 80% of graduates from the program receive job offers upon completion. Pike Enterprises, an industry sponsor for the program, has hired nearly half of the graduates. Other employers include Duke Energy, American Lighting & Signalization, Utility Lines Construction Service, City of High Point and many others.
As its Lineworker program continues to grow, Forsyth Tech is attracting students from across the country, including New York, Ohio, Florida and California, who seek the quality training and employment opportunities the program offers.
Since it was first introduced in 2010, the program has trained just over 1500 new Electrical Lineworkers.
Course Schedules
| COURSE# | FROM | TO |
|---|---|---|
| Class 65 | 6/24/24 | 9/11/24 |
| Class 66 | 9/16/24 | 12/5/24 |
| TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | TBD | TBD |
Please call to inquire about course availability. These courses are in high demand and tend to fill quickly. For more information please call 336.734.7023.
Technical Standards for Economic Workforce Development: Electrical Lineworker
Our program technical standards have been developed to help students understand nonacademic standards, skills, and performance requirements expected of a student in order to complete this particular curriculum.
If an accommodation is necessary to participate in the program, it is imperative to identify a reasonable accommodation to those students who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonableness is determined by Accessibility Resources and the program on a case-by-case basis utilizing the program technical standards. The accommodation needs to be in place prior to the start of the program, or it may delay your ability to start the program. It is the student’s responsibility to contact Accessibility Resources and request accommodations.
| SKILLS | DESCRIPTION | SPECIFIC EXAMPLES |
|---|---|---|
| MOTOR SKILLS | Students must possess physical strength, flexibility, and dexterity to safely perform the duties of a lineworker. | Physical abilities sufficient to perform skills in a hot (90+ degree) and cold environment.Physical ability sufficient to work at heights or under structures while carrying tools and equipment.Physical ability to use various hand tools.Be able to climb ladders up to 24’ in height while carrying tools and equipment.Sufficient motor function to execute hand movements required to operate tools and equipment in bucket trucks and at heights over 24’. This requires manual dexterity while using Personal Protective Equipment such as rubber gloves and shockproof clothing.Physical ability to coordinate two or more limbs (two arms, two legs or one arm and one leg) while sitting, standing or lying down.Weight bearing ability sufficient enough to lift and carry weight up to 50 pounds and install equipment overhead. |
| VISION | Vision sufficient enough to perform duties of an electrical Lineworker. | Ability to identify equipment preventive and maintenance needs and perform maintenance and preventive services.Ability to determine appropriate tool needed to repair and maintain systems and equipment.Visual skills sufficient to distinguish all primary colors.Visual skills sufficient to see details at close range and to perceive safe distances/depths.Have sufficient visual capacity to read prints, schematics, meters and testers. |
| HEARING | Hearing abilities sufficient to perform the duties of an electrical Lineworker. | Sufficient auditory skills to hear tones of various pitches emitted by testers and meters despite peripheral/background noise such as trucks, equipment, or machinery.Sufficient auditory skills to hear equipment running/operating to determine efficiency of operation. |
| TECHNOLOGICAL | Must have technical ability to use electronic meters and testing equipment.Basic knowledge of the computer. | Must be able to read and interpret printed wiring diagrams, meters, and electrical instruments.Must be able to read prints, schematics, meters and testing equipment for both AC and DC drawings.Must be able to check email and create/edit basic documents. |
| COMMUNICATION | The ability to convey information effectively and efficiently in class or lab settings. | Must be able to listen and communicate effectively with the instructor and other students.Must be able to understand/interpret information from textbooks, handouts, diagrams, charts and tables.Must be able to use written and oral communication to demonstrate comprehension of electrical concepts, as well as possess the ability to use and understand hand signals.Must recognize and be able to use electrical terminology. |
| CRITICAL THINKING/ PROBLEM SOLVING | Students must be able to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.Must be attentive in the classroom, observe demonstrations and participate in field exercises.Must be able to recognize when there is a problem or possible problem. | Ability to determine the steps necessary to troubleshoot primary and secondary distribution outages.Ability to assess causes of equipment malfunctions and solutions.Ability to identify equipment preventive and maintenance needs and perform maintenance and preventive services.Ability to determine appropriate tool needed to repair equipment and electrical systems.Must be able to read and interpret wiring diagrams, meters, gauges, and electrical instruments. |
| INTERPERSONAL SKILLS | Students must have sufficient personal skills for successful interactions with customers, colleagues, supervisors, and students from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.Must possess emotional wellbeing and intellectual abilities to complete all projects and responsibilities in the classroom.Student will be expected to learn and apply workplace responsibilities. | Must be able to work cooperatively with partners and groups.Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with co-workers under physically and mentally demanding environmental conditions.Be careful about detail and thoroughness in completing work tasks.Exercise good judgment.Follow safety procedures.Maintain composure, keep emotions in check, control anger, and avoid aggressive behavior, even in difficult situations.Must not have a debilitating fear of heights, insects, spiders, snakes, or lizards. |
| ENVIRONMENTAL TOLERANCE | Must be able to work in an industrial or construction environment | Must be able to work effectively in confined spaces such as under structures as well as heights exceeding 24’.Must be able to tolerate extreme heat and cold.Must be able to tolerate exposure to noxious chemical compounds including but not limited to acids, acid-like chemicals, solvents, glues, cleaners, oils and refrigerants.Must be able to wear hard hats, safety glasses, safety equipment and PPE as required by the industry. |
This document is intended to serve as a guide regarding the physical, emotional, intellectual and psychosocial expectations placed on a student. This document cannot include every conceivable action, task, ability or behavior that may be expected of a student. Meeting these technical standards does not guarantee employment in this field upon graduation. Ability to meet the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for any licensure, certification exam, or successful completion of the degree program.
Reference: These Technical Standards are adapted from Southern Piedmont Community College Technical Standards. Modifications have been made to meet Forsyth Tech specific program needs.