Certification,
From Start to Finish
Our primary responsibility is guiding each Apprentice through their apprenticeship training to completion of a Red Seal Certificate of Qualification.
OVERVIEW OF APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROCESS
Cycle 2: From Indentureship into apprenticeship program to certification as Red Seal Powerline Technician
ENTRYBoard Approved TT’s Indentured into Apprenticeship Program |
80%
|
Term 2-3 | Term 4-5 | Term 6-7 | Top-out |
| Accumulate Hours 686 – 1,372 |
Accumulate Hours 2,128 – 2,844 |
Accumulate Hours 3,530 – 4,216 |
6,720 Minimum “Key Hours” |
||
20%
|
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | |
| 180 hours 6 Weeks STBC Standard Level Exam |
160 hours 5 Weeks STBC Standard Level Exam |
96 hours 3 Weeks STBC Standard Level Exam |
64 hours 2 Weeks Interprovincial Red Seal Exam |
Pathway to Certification
Indentureship into Apprenticeship Program
Once Indentured into the PLT apprenticeship program its time to start learning trade skills through work-based training on the job and technical training in school.
All Apprentices are indentured to the JLATA and not their Employers. The JLATA is the “Sponsor on Record” and serves as your point of contact for all apprenticeship matters.
The JLATA is responsible for each Apprentice employed by Employers that are signatory to the Master Line Agreement with the Local 258 IBEW.
Checklist of Apprentice Responsibilities
Apprentices are responsible for ensuring they progress through the apprenticeship program smoothly by following the Apprentice responsibilities set out below:
Bring a positive attitude every day
Ensure you have the proper personal protective equipment and climbing gear
Gain an understanding of your workplace and Employer's expectations including use of proper equipment and safety standards
Submit Apprentice reports to the JLATA
Complete and submit school registration forms, tuition payment and other costs associated with technical training
Attendance and passing grades in all levels of technical training
Promptly reporting any changes in employment that affect apprenticeship status
Promptly reporting any changes in employment that affect apprenticeship status
In Addition, Apprentices must be prepared to relocate and work in any location where they can complete their work-based training if required.
Work-Based Training
ON THE JOB
Approximately 80% of the Apprenticeship Program is work-based training
Apprentices will accumulate one hour of work-based training for each hour worked on the job with their Employer under the direct supervision of a certified Powerline Technician.
To ensure Apprentices learn the full scope of the trade over the course of their apprenticeship, Apprentices will be required to advance through 7 Terms and complete a minimum 6,720 work-based hours. Work-based hours also include the minimum “key hours” requirement indicated below to complete the program.
| Underground | 100 hours | Preferred, but not mandatory: | |
| Live Line Single Phase | 200 hours | Transmission: | 100 hours |
| Live Line Three Phase | 300 hours | Distribution: | 1000 hours |
| Live Line Single & Three Phase | 500 hours total |
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 | Term 7 | Top-Out |
| 0 hours | 686 hours | 1372 hours | 2128 hours | 2844 hours | 3530 hours | 4216 hours | 6,720 hours |
Term Advancement
Apprentices begin at Term 1 on the actual date of Indentureship and are scheduled to advance in Term status every six months. Apprentices who meet the minimum hours requirement for each Term and have demonstrated the knowledge and practical skills for their current Term will advance to the next level.
Apprentice Scope of Work
Under no circumstances shall an Apprentice Powerline Technician be considered as part of the required complement of Journeyman Powerline Technician until s/he has successfully completed their fifth term (5th) of the program. In no circumstances shall the variance of the guidelines violate BC Hydro, WorkSafeBC, or any other recognized safety regulations that are in force at a specified worksite or location.
An Apprentice Powerline Technician shall not be called upon to come into direct contact with high voltage equipment or conductors that are potentially alive, except under the following circumstances and under the direct supervision of a Journeyman Powerline Technician:
First Month
No Contact
After 1 Month
Less than 750 volts A.C.
After 12 Months
Single phase live-line work
After 18 Months
All live-line work, excluding bare hand
After 30 Months
Same restrictions as Journeyman Lineman
Employment Changes
Movement is facilitated through the JLATA Board. Transfer requests may be made either by the Apprentice or Employer in writing. The JLATA makes the decision on all transfers. Employers invest valuable time and effort towards apprenticeship training and loyalty to your Employer is a valued trait.
Recording Work-Based Hours
Log Books
Apprentices are provided with a Log Book to record work-based hours, co-workers, and duties performed at the work site. From the time of arrival at the job site to the time of departure, those hours shall be recorded daily in the appropriate section in your Apprentice Log Book
Reporting Work-Based Hours & Progress on the Job
Monthly Work Reports
Apprentice work-based training hours are monitored and reported to STBC through the submission of monthly Work Reports. At the end of each month, Apprentices are responsible for completing and submitting their Work Reports to the JLATA office. The JLATA carefully monitors work-based training hours to ensure Apprentices are receiving the work-based training that incorporates the full scope of the apprenticeship program.
Field Progress Assessments Reports
Apprentices are responsible for ensuring that their Sub-Foreman/ Foreman evaluate their progress on the job by completing a Field Progress Assessment report (quarterly) each year. As part of the assessment the Sub-Foreman/Foreman will determine whether the Apprentice meets the practical skill level required for their current Term. This Assessment will determine Term Advancement.
Keep Track of your Apprenticeship Online
DATABASE ACCESS
Apprentices can login to the JLATA database to ensure their contact information is current and view work-based training hours, Field Progress Assessment reports, Term advancement dates and technical training grades.
Technical Training
IN SCHOOL
Approximately 20% of the Apprenticeship Program is technical training
The technical training requirements are met through block release training (full-time at school) delivered by BC Hydro Trades Training Centre (TTC), as set out in SkilledTradesBC Powerline Technician “Program Outline” for British Columbia. Instructors at the training facility are Red Seal Certified Powerline Technicians.
The technical training component consists of learning the theoretical and practical aspects of the powerline trade occupation. Competencies are evaluated through written exams and practical assessments. Apprentices must obtain a minimum grade of 70% overall to be granted credit for that level of technical training.
Apprentices are required to attend four (4) Levels of technical training, and write Standardized Level Exams for Levels 1-3. The IP Red Seal examination is scheduled at the end of your Level 4 schooling.
Year 1: 6 weeks
Year 2: 5 weeks
Year 3: 3 weeks
Year 4: 2 weeks
Standard Level Exams (SLE’s)
Standard Level Exams (SLE’s) are written on the last day of in-school training and will count for 20% of your overall mark. SkilledTradesBC has begun implementing SLE’s to help ensure a common standard of training. Writing SLE’s throughout your apprenticeship helps you prepare for your certification exam. Your technical training result on your STBC Transcript will contain both your in-school and SLE exam results.
Technical Training Dates
The JLATA is responsible for organizing and scheduling your technical training. Apprentices will be notified of school dates and receive student packages six weeks before class start date with information regarding registration, tuition cost, textbooks, and financial assistance forms.
Financial Support for Apprentices
Apprentices are eligible for Canada Student Loans and Employment insurance Benefits for each level of technical training attended and a number of federal grants and provincial tax credits when each level of technical training is completed. First Nations individuals are eligible for enhanced tax credits.
Results & Rewrites
COURSE AND EXAM RESULTS
You will receive your Course and Exam Results Letter by email you provided on your Application form. You can also log into your apprenticeship account to see your results within 10 business days* after your exam.
EXAM REWRITES
You may need to rewrite an exam if you scored less than 70%. 69% or lower is considered a fail. Re-writes are scheduled by calling STBC Customer Service at 778 328 8700 or submitting the exam application form to customerservice@skilledtradesbc.ca
SkilledTradesBC has scheduled exams at 12 locations in BC. See the schedule here. You can take your exam at any of these locations.
Recommendation for Certification
Once all required work-based training hours, technical training, Inter-Provincial (IP) Red Seal Examination and other program requirements have been successfully completed, the JLATA will send SkilledTradesBC your Recommendation for Certification.
Certification Process is as Follows:
Apprentice successfully completes all apprenticeship program requirements
STBC sends JLATA Recommendation for Certification form for completion and submission
JLATA sends Employer a Final Evaluation form for completion and return
STBC Processes the Recommendation for Certification and sends the Certificate of Qualification and Certificate of Apprenticeship
STBC maintains a permanent file of your records of certification
Complete Program Requirements
Apprentice successfully completes all Apprenticeship Program Requirements
Term 7 Final Evaluation
Employer completes and returns to the JLATA Term 7 Final Evaluation form
Recommendation for Certification
JLATA Signs-off and sends Recommendation for Certification form to STBC
Sign-off on Recommendation for Certification
The Recommendation for Certification is signed-off by the JLATA and certified tradesperson with sign-off authority. By signing-off, the JLATA is attesting that the Apprentice is working at the skill and competency level of a certified journeyman Powerline Technician.
Credentials Awarded
Certification as a Powerline Technician
When you complete the apprenticeship program, you are awarded Provincial and National Credentials. SkilledTradsBC awards a Certificate of Qualification and a 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.