Utilities

The Level 1 Electric Power Lineworker Apprenticeship Program course is designed to provide participants with a foundation of knowledge and skills for utility work. This course includes an overview of essential apprentice skills such as, wood pole climbing and basic rigging, electric power principles, bucket and digger truck operations, and personal protective grounding. Show less

The Level 2 Electric Power Lineworker Apprenticeship Program course is designed to provide participants with the general knowledge and skills of electrical utility work. Topics covered will include constructing overhead utility lines, single-phase transformer connections and installation, single phase meters and installation, as well as rubber gloving on single-phase systems. Underground electrical systems will also be covered. Show less

The Level 3 Electric Power Lineworker Apprenticeship Program course is designed to provide participants with intermediate knowledge and skills of utility work. Topics covered will include rubber gloving on three-phase systems and overhead and underground system maintenance. Three-phase transformer connections, meters, and installation will also be covered. Show less

The Level 4 Electric Power Lineworker Apprenticeship Program course is designed to provide participants with the advanced knowledge and skills of utility work. Topics covered will include emergency rubber gloving procedures, OSHA 10-Hour Construction for ET&D, troubleshooting overhead and underground systems, and essentials of leadership. Show less

The Lineworker Academy at Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is designed to provide to participants a comprehensive training experience using the best work methods, equipment, tools, and standards. The Academy offers classroom and hands-on field training with a real-world approach delivered through high-quality curriculum, experienced instructors, and specialized equipment and facilities. Upon successful completion of the course, you will have earned the opportunity to enter the job market prepared with the knowledge, skills, and abilities prospective employers within the electric power industry require. In addition you will receive:First Aid/CPR certification with cardWood Pole Climbing qualificationBucket/Digger Derrick Operator qualification with cardTraffic Flagger cardOSHA 10-hour Electrical Transmission and Distribution cardFramed completion certificate with challenge coinTexas CDLParticipants of this course will have the opportunity (at an additional cost) through the TEEX Transportation and Highway Safety Program to pursue a Texas Commercial Driver License (CDL). To learn more, visit the TEEX Commercial Driver License (CDL) web page. Show less

Wood Pole Climbing and Rigging is part of Level 1 of the Apprenticeship Program designed to provide participants with the foundational knowledge and skills of utility work. Module 1 will include an overview of personal climbing equipment, pole climbing techniques, crossarm installation and removal, knots and splices for rigging, safety precautions, and pole-top rescue.Upon successful completion of this module, participants will be able to demonstrate techniques for wood pole climbing and rigging. Show less

Electric Power Principles is part of Level 1 of the Apprenticeship Program designed to provide participants with the foundational knowledge and skills of utility work. Module 2 will include an overview of the composition of matter, electrical principles, electromagnetism, electric meters, circuit laws, and electrical systems.Upon successful completion of this module, participants will be able to apply electric power principles to electrical utility line work. Show less

Module 3: Bucket and Digger Truck Operations is designed to instruct participants in basic hydraulic systems, performance checks, and preventive maintenance procedures. A working knowledge of proper positioning of equipment, safe operation at job sites, and aerial manlift rescue procedures are also taught in the course.Upon successful completion of this module, participants will be able to demonstrate safe operation of bucket trucks and derrick diggers, including proper aerial lift rescue procedures in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations and applicable regulating authorities. Show less

Module 1: Overhead Line Construction is designed to provide hands-on training specific to the construction of a three-phase overhead electrical distribution system with a single-phase tap. Participants work as a crew team to complete the installation of a typical overhead electrical system. Instructor-led field exercises include setting poles, anchors and guys, stringing out conductors and proper sagging. At the completion of this course, participants will have a better understanding of all operational skills required to work as a crew member during the safe transport of poles to a job site, proper unloading, setting the poles, installing anchors, identifying conductor size and type, and stringing the wire. Participants will also learn to install hand and pre-form ties to various types of conductors used in the utility industry.Upon successful completion of this course, the participant will be able to perform overhead line construction. Show less

Module 2: Single-Phase Transformer Connections, Meters, and Installation is part of Level 2 of the Apprenticeship Program designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills of utility work. This module utilizes the Alexander Publications Distribution Transformer Handbook, sixth edition, and the Pocket Guide to Watthour Meters, fourth edition. Concepts, connections, and installation of single-phase transformers and meters will be covered in this module.Upon successful completion of the module, participants will be able to demonstrate installation of single-phase transformers and meters. Show less

Module 3: Rubber Gloving I: Single-Phase Systems is part of Level 2 of the Apprenticeship Program designed to provide participants with the foundational knowledge and skills of utility work. This module will include an overview of electrical protective devices, live-line maintenance tools and cover-up, and energized system maintenance procedures.Upon successful completion of the module, participants will be able to use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and hot-line tools and equipment to demonstrate live-line maintenance on overhead distribution systems utilizing an insulated aerial device. Show less

Module 1, Rubber Gloving II: Three-Phase Systems is part of the Level 3 of the Apprenticeship Program designed to provide participants with the foundational knowledge and skills of utility work. This module will provide participants the opportunity to practice rubber gloving tasks on typical overhead distribution systems up to 34.5kV.Upon successful completion of the module, participants will be able to demonstrate advanced rubber gloving jobs on typical overhead distribution systems up to 34.5kV. Show less

Module 2, Overhead and Underground System Maintenance is part of the Level 3 of the Apprenticeship Program designed to provide participants with the foundational knowledge and skills of utility work. This module will provide participants the opportunity to practice working on deenergized overhead and underground utility systems.Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to practice maintenance work on deenergized overhead and underground utility systems. Show less

Module 3, Three-Phase Transformer Connections, Meters, and Installation is part of the Level 3 of the Apprenticeship Program designed to provide participants with the foundational knowledge and skills of utility work. This module will provide participants the opportunity to practice installing and connecting three-phase transformers and meters.Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to construct a three-phase transformer bank with a meter loop. Show less

Module 1, Rubber Gloving III: Emergency Procedures is part of Level 4 of the Apprenticeship Program designed to provide participants with the foundational knowledge and skills of utility work. In this course, participants first become familiar with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for personal protective equipment and live-line tools. This knowledge is then used to establish emergency jobsite security using a job briefing and job safety analysis (JSA). Participants then use these procedures to accomplish emergency hot line repairs. This course is designed to provide participants with hands-on application of the knowledge and skills gained in the learning process.Upon successful completion of the module, participants will be able to demonstrate emergency live-line repairs on an overhead distribution system using personal protective equipment and hot line tools and equipment. Show less

Module 3, Rubber Gloving III: Emergency Procedures Troubleshooting Overhead and Underground Systems is part of Level 4 of the Apprenticeship Program designed to provide participants with the foundational knowledge and skills of utility work involving troubleshooting overhead and underground systems.This course provides participants with guidance for troubleshooting customer service complaints for overhead and underground utility systems. It will discuss customer communication and relations, basic electrical safety, and how to troubleshoot transformer connections and services. Participants will be able to practice troubleshooting a failed transformer or service connection. Methods for troubleshooting overhead and underground distribution systems will be explained. Participants will have the opportunity to practice fault location on secondary and primary cables as well as practice locating and marking energized cable runs.Upon successful completion of the module, participants will be able to perform troubleshooting methods on overhead and underground utility systems. Show less

The Electrical Transmission and Distribution (ET&D) course provides participants with crucial life-saving information designed to increase awareness of contributing factors associated with injuries among electric utility personnel and suggestions surrounding best practices designed to reduce those hazards. The course focuses on industry professionals on both electrical safety principles and hazard recognition. Included in the course are OSHA rules applicable to ET&D (1910.269 and 1926 Subpart V). Participants successfully completing this course will receive their OSHA 10-hour card with an ET&D endorsement. Show less

The Lineworker Academy at Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is designed to provide to participants a comprehensive training experience using the best work methods, equipment, tools, and standards. The Academy offers classroom and hands-on field training with a real-world approach delivered through high-quality curriculum, experienced instructors, and specialized equipment and facilities. Upon successful completion of the course, you will have earned the opportunity to enter the job market prepared with the knowledge, skills, and abilities prospective employers within the electric power industry require. In addition you will receive:First Aid/CPR certification with cardWood Pole Climbing qualificationBucket/Digger Derrick Operator qualification with cardTraffic Flagger cardOSHA 10-hour Electrical Transmission and Distribution cardFramed completion certificate with challenge coinTexas CDLParticipants of this course will have the opportunity (at an additional cost) through the TEEX Transportation and Highway Safety Program to pursue a Texas Commercial Driver License (CDL). To learn more, visit the TEEX Commercial Driver License (CDL) web page. Show less

The Electrical Standards (OSHA #3095) course covers OSHA Electrical Standards and the hazards associated with electrical installations and equipment. Course topics include single- and three-phase systems, cord- and plug-connected and fixed equipment, grounding, ground fault circuit interrupters, and safety-related work practices. Emphasis is placed on electrical hazard recognition and OSHA Standards, policies, and procedures and applicable portions of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Students will participate in workshops on the safe and correct use of electrical testing equipment. Upon course completion, students will have the ability to understand the severity of electrical current on the human body, recognize and evaluate actual and potential electrical hazards and reference the applicable OSHA Standard, determine hazard abatement measures, and understand the proper use of electrical testing equipment.NOTE: This course is taught in English. Show less