Any electrical linemen in here?

[txbass1]

Oldest son played a year of college football and decided football he loved, college he didn't. He wants to enter into an apprenticeship program to become a lineman and just missed the deadline for a lineman school certificate program here close to home. The question is, should he wait until January and attend the lineman school (3 month program), or just start applying for apprenticeships without it? Any advice out there from someone whose familiar with it? He checks all of the boxes for it as he's smart, great kid, strong & athletic, coachable, determined, etc. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Thamelau]

I don't have any experience in this field in particular, but if the next sign up is only a few months away, then it makes sense to me just to wait. That certification is something he can carry with him for the rest of his life and open up more doors or at the minimum, give him a leg up on the competition when applying for jobs.

That being said, maybe it is common in this field to apply for apprenticeships and then prove yourself worthy and have the company put you through the program. If that is the case then it sounds cheaper to me.

[txbass1]

He's been on some lineman forums (much like this one for fishin) and a lot of them say it's not necessary/worth it to get the certification. Of course these are guys that already have the job. Most of the really good/big companies (Entergy, Centerpoint, etc) require the certification to even apply for their apprenticeship program. That is another reason I have encouraged him to wait and attend the school as the jobs that do not list it as a requirement are generally in the middle of nowhere West Texas. And then there's the part that the training in the certificate program might save his or someone else's life. I appreciate the reply and opinion.

[river rebel]

There is a great lineman school in Trenton ga. Pretty much garranteed a job when graduating. With also a cdl license. Also may check with service electric in Chattanooga tn they used to do a lot of hiring

[Wackyjig]

Some utilities run a full apprenticeship where they send a group to their line school. That's how my tourney partner got into line work. I'd have him search around for something like that because I don't know how it is in your neck of the woods, but line positions are scarce here. I've got 3 guys working for me now doing electric meter testing that have lineman certs they paid for out of pocket.
All 3 couldn't get a steady job. They got offered temp spots for storms, contract work, or to start as a laborer or tree trimmer then maybe move to line work but that's the best they offers they got.

[Jwags13]

There is a great lineman school in Trenton ga. Pretty much garranteed a job when graduating. With also a cdl license. Also may check with service electric in Chattanooga tn they used to do a lot of hiring

Most of the northeast IBEW lineman locals require a cdl to start the apprenticeship. Have a lot of friends that are IBEW lineman and ibew operators and they all say the same, def need a CDL to get your foot in. And class A is way better to have than B. I don't think ant of them went to school. They started right in the apprenticeship program. They make big bucks but work on the road a lot.

[bilgerat]

Our son in law just landed a lineman position with a major energy provider in Pa. He had attended a lineman course while still in the Marines. He is currently in their school which is the prerequisite to becoming an apprentice. While the managers who he initially dealt with during the hiring process knew of his military lineman school, he intentionally kept quiet about it when he got into their school as he didn't want to be "that guy" that everyone knows - the "been there, done that" know it all type. He showed his hand somewhat when they began the climbing section ... the instructor called him aside and asked him where he learned to climb. He shrugged it off and said something to the effect of "I guess I'm just good at it" .... the instructor knew he was full of it and said he knows a trained climber when he sees one and asked him why he didn't fess up and that's when he told the instructor that he wanted to learn their system which likely got him some valuable points without being a kiss ass.

So the point of my rambling rant is for him to get any and all head starts he can but be humble about it. Good luck to him

[5keepers2]

37 year utilities man here: get the certification no question.

[txbass1]

Ya'll are awesome. Thanks for all of your points!

[Brianmoore25]

I work for Entergy. Certificate not required but helps big time.

[Mcjenson]

I work in the industry (substation side, but work with lineman). If he can get into an apprenticeship without a cert / schooling, he absolutely should do it. No reason to wait on school first if you are already in an apprenticeship.

[Brianmoore25]

I work in the industry (substation side, but work with lineman). If he can get into an apprenticeship without a cert / schooling, he absolutely should do it. No reason to wait on school first if you are already in an apprenticeship.

I'm in substation also. Relay tech.

[clayrhye]

I'm in substation also. Relay tech.

Same here. Relay tech at a utility, former contractor doing the same.


The contractor I was with before hired from the Southeast Lineman Training Center a ton. It is a proven program. You come out with a certirication as well as a CDL, and almost always a job at the end of it. If he is young, and willing to travel for his profession, this would be a great option to get his foot in the door somewhere. A lot of utilities like hiring an experienced lineman or groundman from a contractor as it eases the learning curve, and they're hiring proven workers.

[Mcjenson]

Same here. Relay tech at a utility, former contractor doing the same.


The contractor I was with before hired from the Southeast Lineman Training Center a ton. It is a proven program. You come out with a certirication as well as a CDL, and almost always a job at the end of it. If he is young, and willing to travel for his profession, this would be a great option to get his foot in the door somewhere. A lot of utilities like hiring an experienced lineman or groundman from a contractor as it eases the learning curve, and they're hiring proven workers.

Agreed, a certification is a great option if you are just trying to get into the industry. I was only saying that applying for apprenticeships without a cert / line school is still a great move as you would have no need to pay for line school if you get a paid apprenticeship in a utility.

Also agreed that being able to travel is almost a necessity for lineman. You have to chase where the work is at, especially until you are an established journeyman. To be frank, as a young male (especially if you are white), with no military background, you are going to have a little bit of a harder time getting into a utility apprenticeship without some schooling beforehand to separate yourself from the thousands of people who typically apply for apprenticeship programs.

[txbass1]

He's actually in the last three days of CDL training this week and tests on Thursday. It is a requirement to apply, or to have within a certain amount of time after being hired, so he just went for it in advance. Thank you again fellas for the replies.

[RNKingCx19]

35 1/2 years in the business. Get the certifications/classes/schools. Climbing certification. The resume will look good. We had an in-house apprentice program taught by a few of our lineman. The last 6-8 interview panels I was on the resume/experience got them the interview. We had a Jr colledge close by that offered a lineman course. When they finished……. climb certified, safety, knot tying, OSHA, CLDs, try to get all he can. There are lineman schools scattered around.

With this being a hell of a good career. It’s a passion you got to love it…….hard,hot,cold,wet,long hours. Greatest bunch of guys a man could ever be around. Thank you High voltage workers!

[txbass1]

35 1/2 years in the business. Get the certifications/classes/schools. Climbing certification. The resume will look good. We had an in-house apprentice program taught by a few of our lineman. The last 6-8 interview panels I was on the resume/experience got them the interview. We had a Jr colledge close by that offered a lineman course. When they finished……. climb certified, safety, knot tying, OSHA, CLDs, try to get all he can. There are lineman schools scattered around.

With this being a hell of a good career. It’s a passion you got to love it…….hard,hot,cold,wet,long hours. Greatest bunch of guys a man could ever be around. Thank you High voltage workers!

Appreciate the advice for sure. He's been a hell of an athlete through high school and into college and always rose to the top because he just worked harder and longer than most would. One of the reasons I think he'll be a good fit as he's played/trained in every weather scenario except lightning. Spent the one year playing in college in Kansas so he's been exposed to cold/snow as well. You guys are great for responding- much appreciated.

[Mcjenson]

Appreciate the advice for sure. He's been a hell of an athlete through high school and into college and always rose to the top because he just worked harder and longer than most would. One of the reasons I think he'll be a good fit as he's played/trained in every weather scenario except lightning. Spent the one year playing in college in Kansas so he's been exposed to cold/snow as well. You guys are great for responding- much appreciated.

He'd likely be a solid fit for line work. Need some strength / toughness, and still need to be able to do some math / problem solving. If he gets into the apprenticeship, he will have to prepare for 3/4 years of getting crap (some areas are harder on apprentices than others), but years fly by in an apprenticeship. Hard part is getting in!

[ilbass22]

A friend of mine who retired from Ameren was all about the ALBAT program. My son was talking about it, and he loaded me up with info. Of course, the week he graduated high school was also the week he turned 18. He had light 2 days to get his license and apply. Then the kicker, he didn't want to leave home! So 8 years later he is working in a state nut house.

[OLD BOB]

I resent you saying that west Texas is in the middle of nowhere. I know because I live out here. However you can see it from here.
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