Installs, maintains, and repairs electrical distribution and transmission systems underground and substations. This includes conduits, cables, wires, and related equipment such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switches. He or she also digs holes, using augers, and sets poles, using cranes and power equipment.
The pros and cons of being a lineman include good pay, and paid apprenticeship working with your hands, but it is also very hard work, both physically and emotionally demanding, and there's also the harsh working conditions with the potential for injury and death.
A lineman is a perfect job for someone who loves working outdoors with their hands, is able to handle stress and pressure well, and who is willing to put in the time required to be successful in this role.
Although admission requirements to this program vary by local Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees, you typically need a high school diploma or GED, have good mathematical skills and an active driver's license.
In addition, you must pass a physical and mental fitness test. Overall the process to become a line takes around three to five years to complete, making it longer than most technical trades. However, this extra training and work pays off in the long run. The medium annual wage for a lineman is $72,520 a year, making it one of the more lucrative technical careers out there.
Plus you are paid while you do your apprenticeship rather than going to school and accumulating debt. Most students come out of school with some degree of student loans, but apprentices learn the trade through the company they work for while being paid and working under an experienced lineman.
There is also the risk of working as a lineman. When duty calls, power linemen may have to work in extreme conditions. For instance, when there is a power outage at night, these experts identify the source of the fault and conduct repairs immediately to ensure the affected customers receive electricity.
Power linemen also have to work in the sun and contend with high winds, rain, and snow, and usually deal with high voltage power lines that can cause fatal workplace accidents. Working as a lineman may not be favorable for those easily overwhelmed by fear or harsh weather conditions. This can take a toll on someone both physically and mentally.
Source: www.zippia.com/