If you are searching for the best lineman schools in Idaho or you just want want to know who a lineman is, then you are on the right page.
A lineman is a professional electrician who has specific training and skills needed to install and maintain electrical power lines, as well as transmission towers.
A lineman can make an average of $75,000 upwards in a year. Before I list the lineman schools in Idaho, I know you would like to know the different routes to becoming a journeyman lineman. Let’s dive in.
The different routes to becoming a journeyman lineman
A Lineman apprenticeship or power distribution apprenticeship is a long-term training program that is run by a professional organization.
These professional organizations often include local utility districts or joint programs between a local community college and a private electric or power company.
In addition, it is designed to teach you everything that you need to know to be a professional electrician and that includes completing a certain number of hours of on-the-job training.
Many lineman apprenticeship programs across the country take four to five years to complete.
On the other hand, A specialized Lineman school can accelerate the process of lineman career development. They do this by offering educational packages that instruct on electricity, fiber optics, and microwave transmission.
These educational packages include specific certifications that students will receive within the program such as metering certification, CPR certification, first-aid certification, and an OSHA construction safety health card.
The duration of lineman training schools can vary greatly from 12-15 weeks to several years.
For shorter-term lineman training schools their goal is often to expedite the process of teaching basic climbing skills as well as the general certifications that an entry-level apprentice hiring manager will be looking for.
Lineman School in Idaho
Northwest Lineman College Meridian Idaho
- Location: Meridian, ID / Online
- Course Length: 7 weeks – 6 months
- Price: $9,000 – $22,000
Northwest Lineman College is one of the top lineman schools in Idaho that is focused on using the Three-Phase Educational Model.
Northwest Lineman College (NLC) focuses on education around three domains of learning: Knowledge, Skill, and Behavior.
Each academic course, skill competency, and behavior expectation is shaped by this model.
Through this program, you will be taught how to safely construct, maintain, and operate the Nation’s Power Grid.
You will also be taught how to work in elevated positions, using the industry’s most up-to-date safety equipment.
You also get to learn how to operate bucket trucks and digger derricks.
You’ll graduate from the Electrical Lineworker Program with these certifications:
- First Aid Certification
- CPR Certification
- Climbing Certification
- Pole-top Rescue Certification
- Metering Certification
- Enclosed-space Rescue Certification
- Aerial-lift Rescue Certification
- Digger Derrick Safety
- OSHA 10-hour Construction Safety and Health ET&D card
- Smart Grid and Electrical Devices Certification (Optional)
- Crane Operator Certification (Optional)
You can find the program details here.
Is Northwest Lineman College Worth It?
Yes, the school has offline and online classes. They also have flexible class hours, good teachers, helpful career services, a positive environment, good career preparation, and above all they offer hands-on training.
The instructors are great. They are easy to work with and students are encouraged to participate and ask questions.
Northwest Lineman College Locations
Location: Meridian, ID / Online
Is Northwest Lineman College accredited?
NLC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Idaho Lineman Apprenticeships
Some of the most popular alternatives for lineman apprenticeships programs in Idaho include:
- Southwest Idaho Electrical Joint Apprenticeship
- Mountain States Line Constructors Apprenticeship Utah Training Center
- Wyoming Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee.
Southwest Idaho Electrical Joint Apprenticeship
Southwest Idaho Electrical Joint is passionate about preparing people for rewarding careers in electrical work.
The mission of the Southwestern Idaho Electrical JATC is to educate the members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association; ensuring and providing the Electrical Construction Industry with the most highly trained and highly skilled workforce possible. Visit their website
Mountain States Line Constructors Apprenticeship Utah Training Center
The Mountain States is committed to providing the most comprehensive technical training and instruction available in the outside electrical construction industry.
The Mountain States will supply you with the experience you need to succeed in an exciting and rewarding career in the electrical industry!
Apprentice linemen learn to build and maintain electrical power line systems. They work in an industry that builds the entire job from start to finish. Visit their website.
Wyoming Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee.
- Phone: (307) 234-8311
- Website: http://www.wyojatc.org/
- Program: Wyoming Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Council
- Email: jatc@wyojatc.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wyoming-Electrical-JATC-183040800106/
Wyoming Electrical Joint Apprenticeship is an occupational training program that combines on-the-job experience with classroom instruction in electrical theory, code, and application designed to meet government and/or industry regulations.
Casper College partners with the Wyoming Electrical Joint Apprentice Training Council (JATC) to provide extensive classroom training (60 credit hours) designed to complement on-the-job training received by electrical apprentices.
Classes meet several times a year for a week at a time over the 4-year apprenticeship program duration.
The combination of coursework and training prepares an apprentice electrician to take the journeyman electrician exam administered by the State of Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety.
The following classes are offered on a yearly basis for electrical apprentices working under the direction of the Wyoming Electrical JATC. Students must meet the requirements of Casper College and the Wyoming Electrical JATC.
For more information contact:
Casper College at 1-800-442-2963 extension 2459 or the Wyoming Electrical JATC office at 307-234-8311.
How Long is Lineman School in Idaho
A Lineman Apprenticeship takes three-and-a-half to four years to complete.
For Northwest Lineman College, it takes between 7 weeks to 6 months depending on the qualification, with a median time to completion of 4 months.
Outside Linemen and the Duties of Apprentice linemen
Also known as journeyman linemen have activities that are diversified and non-routine.
An apprentice lineman learns and masters many skills and also has the satisfaction of working with a team to complete a project.
The duties of an apprentice lineman often include but are not limited to:
1} Assembly and erection of metal towers and wood poles along with the installation of footings, hardware, conductors, and other related equipment.
2} Performing work on conductors, underground cables, and related electrical apparatus possibly energized at voltages up to 500,000 volts.
3} Climbing, lifting, hoisting, and pulling, while installing or repairing equipment, often at considerable heights.
The apprentice lineman’s job is physically demanding and they can work on all kinds of terrain in locations inaccessible to mobilized equipment.
They work in extreme weather conditions, from freezing blizzard conditions to temperatures over 100 degrees.
Taking an apprenticeship program will take about four years to complete and it consists of 7,000 hours of on-the-job training and related instructional classes.
How to Become a Lineman in Idaho
To become a Lineman in Idaho:
- A Lineman Apprenticeship must be 18 years old and must be able to submit proof of citizenship and age.
- You must have graduated high school with a diploma or have earned a GED.
- You need to have proof of a passing grade in high school algebra.
- You need to have a CDL and submit your DMV driving record going back three years.
- Applicants must also be able to take and pass a drug test.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a system of on-the-job training for a trade or profession that includes additional or related supplement instruction, which allows the participant to become a journey-level worker.
What does Indenture mean?
Indenture is a term that is used when an applicant is accepted into the apprenticeship program. An indenture is an agreement between two parties.
What is IBEW?
The IBEW stands for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Apprentices in this program are represented by the IBEW Outside Locals 77, 125, 483, and 659.
What is NECA?
NECA is the National Electrical Contractors Association. The outside line chapter of NECA serves the electrical line contracting members that are in the geographical area of the program and offers members the opportunity to have a voice in the electrical industry on local and national levels.
What does NW Line JATC stand for?
The Northwest Line Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee is a collaboration between NECA contractors and the IBEW to provide quality training in the fields of Outside Line Construction and Powerline Clearance Tree Trimming.
NW Line JATC is focused on preparing highly skilled journey-level workers for employment in the outside electrical industry.
They’re committed to providing the best possible training for apprentices, getting them ready for a long and successful career.
The geographical footprint of the NW Line JATC includes Washington, Oregon, Northern California, and Northern Idaho.