Electrical Lineworker
Certificate Program
Program Description:
The Electrical Lineworker Technology program is a one (1) year certificate program. The program will provide students with the technical background and the manual skills necessary for careers in the installation and maintenance of electrical power, telephone, and cable television systems. Safety, pole climbing, and teamwork are emphasized throughout the program while the student learns and performs overhead and underground construction.
Students will be exposed to such curriculum topics as AC/DC electrical theory, field training, occupational safety, line construction theory, tree trimming and line clearance, rigging, transformers, basic telecommunications, and utility metering. Approximately two-thirds of the program will be devoted to strenuous hands-on skills, allowing students to develop a high degree of proficiency in the use of electrical lineworking equipment and procedures.
Students are required to have a valid driver’s license and to have successfully completed a CDL preparation course. Climbing gear and all necessary tools for the field portion of the program are also required; the climbing gear and tools range in price from $2,000 to $2,500. In addition, students are required to have lineworker safety toe boots with steel shanks; these boots range from $200 to $400.
More Information
Mission & Outcomes
PROGRAM MISSION
The Electrical Lineworker Technology Program strives to maintain a high academic standard for teaching and learning lineworker technology through a continuous process of self-assessment and improvement. Students are exposed to a learning environment that is safe and supportive of student growth and achievement. Using modern training equipment, innovative training methods and highly trained faculty members, the ELT program endeavors to fully prepare students for a variety of line occupations.
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the Electrical Lineworker Technology program, the graduate is expected to:
- Practice the electrical and telecommunications skills of the profession in a conscientious, responsible, and accountable manner while recognizing the need to continue to expand their technical knowledge and skills.
- Safely climb poles and operate line bucket trucks and pole setting equipment when performing overhead line construction.
- Safety, teamwork and critical thinking use the acquired analytical skills to solve problems encountered in a residential, commercial, or industrial field situation.
Graduation Requirements
CRITERIA FOR GRADUATION
Students must complete 34 credits in the Electrical Lineworker Technology program and achieve a minimum grade of “C” in all core courses (*). Students must attain a final GPA of 2.0 or higher.
| FIRST SEMESTER | CREDIT HOURS | |
|---|---|---|
| ELW150* | Lineworker Training I | 11 |
| ETL109* | Direct Current Theory | 3 |
| MAT114 | Technical Math | 3 |
| SECOND SEMESTER | CREDIT HOURS | |
| ELW160* | Lineworker Training II | 11 |
| ENG 108 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| ETL110* | Alternating Current Theory | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 34 |
Career Opportunities
Electrical Lineworker Technology is a fast-growing field with tremendous career growth opportunities. Areas of employment for graduates are numerous, and include:
Power Companies Telephone Companies
Cable Television Companies Line Construction Contractors
View Gainful Employment data for this career field.
Maine Employers:
- Central Maine Power
- On Target Utility Services
- Cianbro
- IBEW 104
- Burns & McDonnell
- L.E. Myers Co.
Safety
Safety is top priority in the lineworker program. When lineworkers start climbing poles, early in the first semester, they climb with safety harnesses that are attached to fall protection devices until they are comfortable with the procedure of pole climbing. Set up and operational use of digger and bucket trucks are emphasized with safety films and field training. Other areas of safety related topics included in this program are:
- Hard hat, eye, hand, and foot protection
- First aid/CPR, pole top and bucket rescue
- Ladder safety and OSHA safety rules
- Grounding procedures
- Rubber gloving energized conductors (simulated)
- Driving Dynamics
Required Tools
| BUCKINGHAM BODY BELTS (prices range from $353-$404) Choose one | |
| 20181M | BuckMobility, Full Float, 4 dee, Dri-Lex Lined, 9″ cushioned back pad |
| 20182M | BuckMobility, Full Float, 4 dee, Leather Lined, 9″ cushioned back pad |
| 20191M | Short Back BuckMobility, Full Float, 4 dee, Dri-Lex Lined |
| 20192M | Short Back BuckMobility, Full Float, 4 dee, Leather Lined |
|
BUCKINGHAM WORK POSITIONING STRAPS (prices range from $235-$353) Choose one |
|
| 9M8-8 | Buck Lever-Just, 8′ Length, Fabric Wear Guard, Kernmantle Rope, Alloy Hardware |
| 9A4+R-8 | BuckAdjuster- Rope- 8′ Length- Alloy Hardware- Fabric Wear Guard |
| 9V08KQ9-8 | BuckAdjuster- Rope, 8′ Length- Fabric Wear Guard |
| 9-8 | BuckAdjuster- Rope- 8′ Length- Clear Plastic Wear Guard |
|
BUCKINGHAM CLIMBER SETS (prices range from $173-$370) Choose one |
|
| SB94089A | Offset, steel, contoured shank, complete w/ bottom straps, 4.75 lbs |
| A94089A | BuckLite II, Offset, Aluminum complete w/ nylon bottom/ankle straps, 3.25lbs |
| A94089AV | BuckLite II, Offset, Aluminum complete w/ velcro bottom/ankle straps, 3.25lbs |
| A94089A-BL | BuckLite II, Offset, Aluminum complete w/ nylon ankle straps, 3.25lbs (BLACK) |
| TB94089A | BuckLite, Offset, titanium, complete w/ bottom straps, 3.40 lbs |
|
BUCKINGHAM CLIMBER PADS (prices range from $112-$145) Choose one |
|
| 3118 | Leather pad w/ metal insert and straps (2pr), black, 9″ |
| 31181 | Leather pad w/ metal insert and straps (2pr), black, 9″- For Alloy Climbers |
| 3202C | BigBuck Velcro wrap pad w/ metal insert and cinch ring, 9″ |
| 32021C | BigBuck Velcro wrap pad w/ metal insert and cinch ring- 9″- For Alloy Climbers |
| 3502C | Velcro cushion wrap pad w/ metal insert and cinch ring, 4″ |
| 35021C | Velcro cushion wrap pad w/ metal insert and cinch ring, 4″- For Alloy Climbers |
|
BUCKINGHAM CLIMBER ACCESSORIES (prices range from $7-$38) Choose one |
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| 6909M2 | Gaff Protector – Magnetic |
| 6909A | Gaff Protector, metal dipped |
|
BUCKINGHAM NUT & BOLT BAGS (prices range from $28-$30) Choose one |
|
| 4570B2 | Canvas, black, 10″ deep, 9″ wide |
| 4570B2M2 | Canvas, black, 10″ deep, 9” wide, with hardware storage magnet |
|
BUCKINGHAM TOOL POUCHES (prices range from $60-$90) Choose one |
|
| 42266-BL | 5 pocket w/ 2 way knife snap, black |
| 42666-BL | 6 pocket w/ 2 way knife snap, attached knife sheath, black |
| 42266S-BL | 5 pocket w/ 2 way knife snap, black, short back |
| 42666S-BL | 6 pocket w/ 2 way knife snap, attached knife sheath, black, short back |
|
BUCKINGHAM SKINNING KNIVES (prices range from $16-$27) Choose one |
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| 7086 | Yellow plastic handle, 1-3/16″ D x 5″ L with ring, 9″ OAL |
| 7089 | Red plastic handle, 1-1/16′ D x 5-1/2″ L with ring, 9-1/2″ OAL |
| 7091 | Black rubber ergonomic handle, 1-1/4″ D x 5-3/4″ L with ring, 9-3/4″ OAL |
| 7091G | Hi-Vis Green rubber ergo handle, 1-1/4″D x 5-3/4″ L with ring, 9-3/4″ OAL |
|
BUCKINGHAM TOOL BAGS (prices range from $90-$179) Choose one |
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| 45331Y | TNX, yellow, fold over rain flap, masonite bottom, 11″W x 24″L x 17″H |
| 4471O1 | TNX, orange, Large BuckPack Equipment Back Pack |
| 4470B3 | TNX, black, BuckPack Equipment Back Pack |
| 41333O1R5S | TNX, orange, velcro rain flap, rubber bottom, 2 outside pockets, 11W x 24L x 19″H |
| 45333B3R5S | TNX, black, velcro rain flap, rubber bottom, 2 outside pockets, 11W x 24L x 19″H |
| 47333B3R5S | TNX, black, velcro rain flap, rubber bottom, 2 outside pkts.- Wide Mouth |
| 47333G9R5S | TNX, green, velcro rain flap, rubber bottom, 2 outside pkts.Wide Mouth |
|
HAND TOOLS All listed items required |
|
| HD2139NETH | Klien Pliers, HD w/ oversized handles and bolt-thread holding, 5/8″, 9″ |
| D507-12 | Klein Adjustable Wrench, HD dipped handle, 1-5/16″ capacity. 10-3/8″ |
| D502-10 | Klein Pump Pliers, 2-3/8″ jaw opening, 10″ |
| 602-6 | Klein Screwdriver, round shank, 3/8″ tip, 13-7/16″ |
| 151T | Lowell Wrench, ratcheting, botl through design, socket openings of 3/4″, 1″ and 1 -1/8″ square, 13″ |
| BW223HD | Rauckman BugWrench, 9/16″ & 3/4″ hex capacity, 9″ – HD Drive |
| 809-36MF | Klein Hammer, 36 oz, mill faced, 14″ |
| 911-6 | Klein Rule, fiberglass, outside read, 6′ |
|
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR All listed items required |
|
| 33YLR | Bullard Hard Hat, full brim, yellow, with ratchet suspension, 6 pt. |
| ES42 | Bullard Hard Hat Chin Strap |
| XX600 | OccuNomix Hard Hat Liner, long neck, FR rated |
| 365DLX2 | Superior Lineman Glove, water repellent leather, Kevlar sewn |
| 16GB80 | Gateway Safety Glasses, clear |
| 16GB83 | Gateway Safety Glasses, smoke |
| 2402 | Handline Carrier Hook |
| Safety Toe Boots (Steel or composite; 8″ cuff or taller; lineman shank, double shank or logger shank) | |
Total average price $2,000-$2,500
Contact
For more information, please contact Eric Willett
Phone: (207) 453-5812
Email: ewillett@kvcc.me.edu