Power Line Installers and Repairers: Schools and Careers

Power Line Installers And Repairers - Career Information

Power Line Installers and Repairers

Power line installers and repairers install, maintain and repair wires and cables utilized in electrical power or distribution systems. They work on the networks of power lines that connect customers with generating plants. Electrical power line installers and repairers sometimes construct transmission towers and erect power poles. They're also responsible for maintaining power lines.

Power line installers and repairers travel by trucks, airplanes and helicopters in order to visually inspect the power lines. Electrical line workers need to have specialized knowledge of electrical power distribution systems, substations and transformers. Some sample job titles are electrical line worker, power lineman, line erector, and lineman.

Responsibilities

• Perform inspections and tests
• Determine causes of operating errors
• Install and repair wiring and equipment
• Perform routine maintenance on equipment
• Determine the type of equipment and tools that are necessary for installation and repairs
• Adhere to safety procedures
• Take into consideration the costs and benefits of potential actions and select the most appropriate plan
• Climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets in order to access equipment

Job Characteristics

Workers that install and repair power lines sometimes need to work in harsh weather conditions to fix or replace equipment. They may have to work irregular hours and overtime in order to fix damaged equipment caused by storms. However, they work standard hours when installing new lines and performing normal maintenance.

Electrical line workers sometimes have to travel long distances. Electrical power line installers and repairs sometimes have to deal with serious hazards and need to follow safety procedures. The job may include climbing towers and poles and lifting heavy objects.

Power line installers and repairers need to be able to solve problems, read instructions and write reports. The job sometimes requires stamina, strength and coordination. They should be mechanically inclined.

Employment Outlook

The employment growth for electrical power line installers and repairers is forecasted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to grow by 7 percent from 2006 to 2016 which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. After gaining experience in stringing cable and performing service installation, line installers may move up to more complicated maintenance and repair positions. In addition, the median annual earnings for electrical power line installers and repairers in 2008 was $55,100.

Education, Certification, and Licensing

Power line installers and repairers typically must have at least a high school diploma. Some employers look for candidates that have good reading and writing skills and basic knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. Some employers prefer to hire workers that have obtained technical knowledge of electronics or electricity via a community college or vocational program.

Some educational programs collaborate with local companies and offer a one-year certificate that includes plenty of hands-on field work. Two-year associate degrees offer students a more broader knowledge of the types of technology used with electrical utilities. Courses are provided in electronics, electricity and related subjects. Employers often prefer to employ graduates from these programs.

Electrical line installers and repairers receive the bulk of their training on the job. They usually need to complete apprenticeships or other types of employer training programs. The training programs combine classroom learning with on-the-job training. Sometimes the programs are administered from a partnership of the employer and the union which represents the workers. The training and education requirements for apprentice electrical line installers have to follow the government safety regulations.

Resources

• National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Center

Major Employers

The top employment industries are electric power generation transmission and distribution, utility system construction, local government, building equipment contractors and natural gas distribution.

Schools for Power Line Installers And Repairers are listed in the column to the left.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Power Line Installers And Repairers by major metro area.

The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Power Line Installers And Repairers, along with salary data by industry.

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.