Building a Career in Electric Utility: An Apprentice’s Perspective

Completing a Pre-Apprenticeship Program

I was looking for a hands-on, high-paying job, with the opportunity for lots of overtime. Once I heard about the line trade, it was too perfect to not jump on the opportunity. I completed the pre-apprenticeship program at Utilitrain, and I loved it. I learned about transformer basics, climbing techniques, bucket truck and pole top rescue and basic electricity. Because I graduated with a basic knowledge of the line trade and had obtained a CDL though Utilitrain, this made it easy to find a job in this trade.

Learning the Line Trade

I am a first-year apprentice learning about knots and splices. The training facility at AUI Power is amazing. In the training building, we have access to a classroom, transformer lab and indoor pole center. 

On the Job

Right now, I am on a transmission crew. My workday usually starts with hauling out material and equipment to the job site. When completed, I then help the crew on the ground. I make sure the lineworkers in the air have everything they need to run the job efficiently. Before this job started, we all met in the training building, where we were given a presentation on what the job would entail, and what we might come across and how to fix it.

Challenges in an Apprenticeship

The dedication to learn everything you see is definitely a challenge. It helps to remember that the more you learn the safer it becomes for you and your coworkers. The line trade is hazardous, and it's important to remember that. There are a tremendous amount of safety regulations and procedures that were not as enforced in the past as they are today. This helps to ensure everyone will go home safely for years to come.

Focusing on Safety

Take your driving seriously because line work requires a lot of it. It is important to not neglect any of the safety procedures before or during your drive. Having a good driving record is important so if you lose that, it may cost you your chance to become a lineworker. Also, wearing all of your personal protective equipment (PPE) and having clear communication is definitely one of the most important things lineworkers can do to stay safe. Safety is very important to us. Not following a safety procedure could be the reason someone doesn't make it home, so it's important to make sure we all follow our safety practices without taking any shortcuts.

Working a Storm

I had the opportunity to work on a storm response team, and the damage was something I had never experienced before. Three poles were down and wires were on and across the roadways. My job was to grab the materials needed to fix the damage and supply the lineworker at each pole. I would say storm work is, by far. my favorite work.

Secrets to Success 

When you’re an apprentice in the line trade, you have to be willing to learn and work hard. You never know when you're going to get called in for an emergency job, so you need to be ready to answer the call at all times. I live close by AUI Power, so this helps me respond to any emergency job faster when I receive that phone call.

Looking to the Future

In the future, I see a stronger electrical grid for America. There's only more technology being created, which in turn, means we need more power. We are only going to need more people willing to put in the hours to keep America's electrical grid up and running smoothly. I hope to eventually become a lead lineman. I'm learning everything I can and taking every opportunity I have to eventually reach this goal.

Editor’s Note: All those who are profiled in our Faces of the Future department receive a tool package from Milwaukee Tool for their dedication to the line trade. If you know of an apprentice who you would like to nominate for this department, email Amy Fischbach at [email protected]. To listen to the stories of those who work on the line, go to linelife.podbean.com or check out their profiles at tdworld.com/electric-utility-operations.