Powerline Technician Apprenticeship
Program Overview
Where there is a power disturbance, failure, or storm damage, Powerline Technicians locate the source of the problem and replace or repair defective power lines and accessories. Powerline Technicians work with high and low voltage and work outdoors at various work sites, in a variety of climates.
About the Program
The Joint Line Apprenticeship Training Program is an Industry Training Authority (ITA) accredited (Red Seal) recognized Powerline Technician program that follows a 4-year training cycle. This involves:
Having a journeyperson (master tradesperson) oversee an Apprentice
Completing the required workplace hours (about 80% of training)
Release from the workplace to attend technical training (about 20% of training)
Successfully writing the Interprovincial Red Seal Examination
Powerline Technician
Powerline technicians install, maintain and repair overhead, underground and underwater powerlines and cables, and other associated equipment such as insulators, conductors, lightning arrestors, switches, metering systems, transformers and lighting infrastructure.
Powerline Technician Program Requirements
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Program Requirements as administered by the JLATA
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Accredited Program |
| Program Duration | 7 Term commitment and generally takes about 4 years to complete |
| Technical Training | Minimum 70% passing grade in each Level of Technical Training: |
| Level 1: 180 hours or (six weeks) | |
| Level 2: 160 hours or (five weeks) | |
| Level 3: 96 hours or (three weeks) | |
| Level 4: 64 hours or (two weeks) | |
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Interprovincial Red Seal Examination
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| To Be Implemented | SkilledTradesBC Standard Level Exams (SLE’s) will be written on the last day of in-school training Levels (1-3). The Exam Weighting Charts will be made available when launched. |
| Work-Based Training | Advance through 7 Terms |
| 6,720 work-based hours including combined “key hours” | |
| Sponsor letter to ITA verifying completion of 500 “live line” work hours submitted to the ITA | |
| Recommendation for Certification | Signed by the JLATA and certified tradesperson with sign-off authority |
| Credentials Awarded | Powerline Technician – Certificate of Apprenticeship Powerline Technician |
| Powerline Technician – Certificate of Qualification with Interprovincial Red Seal Endorsement |
Training Topics & Suggested Time Allocation Levels 1-4
Shows the scope of competencies covered in the technical training, the suggested proportion of time spent on each general areas of competencies (GAC), and the percentage of that time spend on theory versus practical application.
Training Topics and Suggested Time Allocation
POWERLINE TECHNICIAN – LEVEL 1
| % of Time Allocated to: | |||||
| % of Time | Theory | Practical | Total | ||
Line A |
SAFETY AND SAFE WORK PRACTICES | 15% | 60% | 40% | 100% |
A1 |
Apply safety regulations |
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A2 |
Use trade specific personal protective equipment (PPE) |
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A3 |
Apply limits of approach |
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A4 |
Apply lock-out and tag-out procedures |
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A5 |
Apply grounding and equi-potential bonding principles |
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A6 |
Perform rescue |
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Line B |
CLIMBING | 11% | 40% | 60% | 100% |
B1 |
Describe care and use of climbing equipment |
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B2 |
Climb structures |
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B3 |
Use elevated platforms and ladders |
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B4 |
Test Pole (structure) stability |
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Line C |
POLICIES AND REGULATIONS | 6% | 60% | 40% | 100% |
C1 |
Identify environmental hazards |
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C2 |
Apply industry safety regulations |
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Line D |
TOOLS AND INSTRUMENTS | 9% | 45% | 55% | 100% |
D1 |
Use hand tools |
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D2 |
Use power tools |
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D3 |
Use live line tools |
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D4 |
Use test instruments |
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Line E |
ELECTRICAL THEORY | 14% | 66% | 34% | 100% |
E1 |
Apply electrical fundamentals |
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E3 |
Explain transformation and install transformers |
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E4 |
Install self-contained metering |
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Line F |
EQUIPMENT | 8% | 34% | 66% | 100% |
F1 |
Identify mobile line equipment |
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F2 |
Use hydraulically-equipped vehicles |
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Line G |
RIGGING | 13% | 50% | 50% | 100% |
G1 |
Explain rigging, hoisting and lifting equipment |
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G2 |
Use lifting, rigging and hoisting equipment |
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Line H |
OVERHEAD DISTRIBUTION (OD) | 15% | 55% | 45% | 100% |
H1 |
Describe overhead distribution materials |
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H2 |
Describe overhead distribution systems |
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H3 |
Construct distribution lines |
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H4 |
Demonstrate safe work practices for live line work |
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H5 |
Maintain single-phase distribution lines |
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Line I |
UNDERGROUND DISTRIBUTION (UD) | 4% | 45% | 55% | 100% |
I1 |
Use Underground distribution (UD) equipment and materials |
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Line K |
COMMUNICATION | 5% | 50% | 50% | 100% |
K1 |
Plan tailboard meetings |
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K2 |
Communicate using hand signals |
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K3 |
Communicate using electronic devices and systems |
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K5 |
Apply communication techniques |
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| Total Percentage for BC Powerline Technician Level One | 100% | ||||
Training Topics and Suggested Time Allocation
POWERLINE TECHNICIAN – LEVEL 2
| % of Time Allocated to: | ||||||
| % of Time | Theory | Practical | Total | |||
Line D |
TOOLS AND INSTRUMENTS | 13% | 50% | 50% | 100% | |
D4 |
Use test instruments |
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Line E |
ELECTRICAL THEORY | 20% | 80% | 20% | 100% | |
E1 |
Apply electrical fundamentals |
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E2 |
Describe operation of motors and generators |
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E3 |
Explain transformation and install transformers |
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Line G |
RIGGING | 19% | 50% | 50% | 100% | |
G3 |
Use rigging tools and equipment in construction and maintenance |
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G4 |
Applying rigging tools and equipment for live line distribution |
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Line H |
OVERHEAD DISTRIBUTION (OD) | 24% | 40% | 60% | 100% | |
H3 |
Construct distribution lines |
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H6 |
Maintain three-phase distribution lines |
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H7 |
Operate overhead distribution (OD) electrical apparatus |
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Line I |
UNDERGROUND DISTRIBUTION (UD) | 16% | 50% | 50% | 100% | |
I1 |
Use Underground distribution (UD) equipment and materials |
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I2 |
Construct underground distribution systems |
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I3 |
Maintain underground distribution systems |
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Line K |
COMMUNICATION | 8% | 30% | 70% | 100% | |
K1 |
Plan tailboard meetings |
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K4 |
Apply communication protocols and requirements |
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| Total Percentage for BC Powerline Technician Level Two | 100% | |||||
Training Topics and Suggested Time Allocation
POWERLINE TECHNICIAN – LEVEL 3
| % of Time Allocated to: | ||||||
| % of Time | Theory | Practical | Total | |||
Line E |
ELECTRICAL THEORY | 15% | 70% | 30% | 100% | |
E5 |
Install transformer metering |
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Line F |
EQUIPMENT | 6% | 100% | 0% | 100% | |
F3 |
Use of stringing equipment |
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Line G |
RIGGING | 20% | 50% | 50% | 100% | |
G5 |
Use rigging tools and equipment in transmission, construction and maintenance |
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G6 |
Perform live line transmission rigging |
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Line I |
UNDERGROUND DISTRIBUTION (UD) | 17% | 30% | 70% | 100% | |
I4 |
Operate underground distribution electrical apparatus |
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Line J |
TRANSMISSION | 30% | 50% | 50% | 100% | |
J1 |
Describe transmission materials |
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J2 |
Construct transmission lines |
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J3 |
Maintain transmission lines |
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J4 |
Operate transmission electrical apparatus |
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Line K |
COMMUNICATION | 12% | 30% | 70% | 100% | |
K1 |
Plan tailboard meetings |
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| Total Percentage for BC Powerline Technician Level Three | 100% | |||||
Training Topics and Suggested Time Allocation
POWERLINE TECHNICIAN – LEVEL 4
| % of Time Allocated to: | ||||||
| % of Time | Theory | Practical | Total | |||
Line E |
ELECTRICAL THEORY | 24% | 60% | 40% | 100% | |
E6 |
Describe system operation and protection |
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E7 |
Perform system switching |
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E8 |
Operate voltage regulators and capacitors |
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Line F |
EQUIPMENT | 4% | 100% | 0% | 100% | |
F3 |
Use of stringing equipment |
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Line H |
OVERHEAD DISTRIBUTION (OD) | 37% | 60% | 40% | 100% | |
H6 |
Maintain three-phase distribution lines |
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H7 |
Operate overhead distribution (OD) electrical apparatus |
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H8 |
Troubleshoot overhead distribution system components |
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Line I |
UNDERGROUND DISTRIBUTION (UD) | 17% | 70% | 30% | 100% | |
I5 |
Troubleshoot underground distribution system components |
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Line J |
TRANSMISSION | 10% | 100% | 0% | 100% | |
J3 |
Maintain transmission lines |
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J5 |
Troubleshoot overhead transmission system components |
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Line K |
COMMUNICATION | 8% | 50% | 50% | 100% | |
K6 |
Apply mentoring techniques |
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| Total Percentage for BC Powerline Technician Level Four | 100% | |||||
| ADDITIONAL PROGRAM & EXAMINATION INFORMATION | |
| SkilledTradesBC Powerline Technician Program Outline | Guidelines for delivery of technical training at STBC Recognized Training Providers: Download 2019 Version |
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Interprovincial (IP) Exam
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The Interprovincial Red Seal Exam is a summative assessment intended to test an Apprentice’s trade knowledge gained through both on-the-job experience and technical training. Exam questions are developed by certified trade worker subject matters (SME’s) as well as instructors and are intended to reflect trade practices in Canada. The exams are edited, translated and peer-reviewed by additional SME’s. The JLATA actively participates in this process by appointing representatives as SME’s. Updates:
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SkilledTradesBC Exams during your Technical Training
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Understand how STBC exams work and see tips to help you prepare for exams throughout your apprenticeship. Exams STBC |
Credentials Awarded
Certification as a Powerline Technician
When you successfully complete the apprenticeship program you are awarded Provincial and National Credentials. SkilledTradesBC awards a Certificate of Qualification and Certificate of Apprenticeship and affixes an Inter-Provincial (IP) Red Seal Endorsement formalizing the National Credential.
Powerline Technician
Certificate of Apprenticeship
Powerline Technician
Certificate of Qualification with
Inter-Provincial Red Seal Endorsement
Powering BC Through Excellence in Training
The Joint Line Apprenticeship Training Association has the managerial oversight for the program to assure Apprentices in the Powerline Technician Apprenticeship Program are provided the best training and learning experience within the trade.