Possible Career Change (Lineman)

Thanks man! Would it be a stretch to get an apprenticeship without going to line school first? The kid I spoke with suggested not going to line school.



That’s actually what my wife does. Pretty decent gig.

Depends on the company. If you have a inside line with the local co-op then maybe not.. but also i would doubt they will give you an apprenticeship to start. Probably a year as a groundman to see if you are worth spending their money on for an apprenticeship. Majority of bigger companies have an immediate requirement for line school before you'll even be considered in the application process. Line school really doesn't teach you much in the overall aspect of linework, but it does give you a grasp on the basics of electricity and dangers etc, which is something that needs to be known for a lineman. In this field, you are ALWAYS learning. All it takes is a split second and lack of judgement and your life can change forever

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I would not waste your money on "line school" you will spend a crapload of money and still start as a first or second step apprentice. Now a coop or power company job may be a little different. What area?
 
I know of one guy who recently completed an apprenticeship without line school. I would bet you’d have better odds at landing a job with a utility company having gone to school. Mine was 9 months. One of my coworkers went to ID and his was much shorter. He did contract work for a bit before he got hired. I’d try to get a summer help job wherever you’d like to work and get your foot in the door. I’d keep often contact with the line super. Let them know you want a job!
 
Hard to make a career in wildlife. I graduated in 2008 with a wildlife bio degree, did seasonal fisheries and land surveying, and then plant research. My wife decided to go back to nursing school and I then followed suit. 2 year at the community college, and I doubled my salary and paid for the degree cash ( around 9k). Tons of opportunity for work and lots of time off.

Don’t be afraid to make a change.


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water/wastewater for a local municipality. Jobs are everywhere, every small town has a water and or wastewater plant, and almost every one has state benefits, pension, etc. with your education placement and certifications should not be a problem. In WI starting is near or north of $20/hr and goes up with the size of the municipality. I can go on the WI wastewater operator association right now and there will be 5-10 jobs.
 
It’s a dangerous gig but pays well. Have family that lost a few fingers on blowouts.


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Lineman, Bush pilot, Everest guide, green beret, rescue diver, fireman, equipment operator, astronaut - freaking anything plays better than fisheries biologist Saturday night at the bar.
 
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I know this is an older thread but I stumbled upon it. My son starts a lineman school on Monday and he’s super pumped. My question is when he graduates and he starts looking for jobs , where is the best place to look? Is there any kind of database that lists jobs in other states, like contract jobs? Any insight would be much appreciated.
 
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