Lineworker Apprenticeship Program (LAP)

Certificate Program

The Lineworker Apprenticeship Program (LAP) provides the education and training necessary to pursue a career in linework. This training introduces the beginning apprentice to the basic math, electricity and alternating current fundamental principles that are the groundwork for understanding the “hows and whys” of this profession.

You will be exposed to the everyday demands of the jobs and learn the fundamentals required to be a lineworker. You will begin with a pre-apprentice workshop that teaches basic knots and climbing equipment, stringing and sagging wire, underground distribution systems, line maintenance, meter applications, climbing on 40' and 90' poles and more.

After successful completion of the workshop, you will complete four self study units followed by five labs and a final exam. The program is 37 days plus self study time.

About this Certificate:

Things You Will Learn

Climbing utility poles
How to tie knots
How to use climbing equipment
How to string and sag wire
Bucket truck rescue
How to operate digger derrick trucks
Hazards of electricity
Grounding
Overhead and underground systems

Curriculum:

Lab 1: Lineworker Apprenticeship Climbing Essentials
Self Study Units 1-4
Lab 2: Lineworker Apprenticeship Digger/Aerial Device
Lab 3: Lineworker Apprenticeship Fundamentals
Lab 4: Lineworker Apprenticeship Underground
Lab 5: Lineworker Apprenticeship Construction
Lab 6: Lineworker Apprenticeship Operations
Lab 7: Lineworker Apprenticeship Troubleshooting
Lab 8: Lineworker Apprenticeship Final Exam

Additional Information:

Upon successful program completion, enrollees will earn a TVPPA Certificate of Completion. If the participating utility or construction company’s program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship, the participant may also earn a DOL Certificate of Completion of Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Individual Coursework

The LAP Certificate program contains an assessment workshop, 4 self study units, 5 labs, and a final exam.

Self Study Units 1-4

Self study units cover basic tools for linework, working safety, how electricity is generated, protective grounding, three-phase power, distribution and transmission poles, line conductors and connections, system operations, work procedures, and more.

Lab 1: Lineworker Apprenticeship Climbing Essentials

6 Days: This intensive workshop introduces prospective lineworker apprentices to the skills, expectations, and everyday demands of the job through classroom instruction and handson training. With an emphasis on climbing and safe work practices, the workshop also gives managers valuable insight into each participant’s ability to learn, follow instructions, and perform under pressure.

Lab 2: Lineworker Apprenticeship Digger/Aerial Device

5 Days: Participants develop the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to safely and effectively operate a digger derrick. This training combines essential safety requirements with practical instruction to help participants understand proper equipment setup, operation, and load handling.

Lab 3: Lineworker Apprenticeship Fundamentals

5 Days: Participants learn and practice the fundamental safety and technical skills required to perform linework safely and effectively in this hands-on lab. .

Lab 4: Lineworker Apprenticeship Underground

5 Days: Participants learn and practice the safety and technical skills required to work on underground residential distribution (URD) systems in this hands-on lab. Training covers URD safety, system and personal protective grounding, cable design and theory, cable preparation, URD systems and equipment, troubleshooting, switching, and more.

Lab 5: Lineworker Apprenticeship Construction

Self Study: Students build on their safety and technical skills in this five-day, hands-on lab focused on overhead distribution work. Training covers safety, job briefings, print reading, guys and anchors, minimum approach distances, overhead construction, protective grounding, sagging, aluminum ties, and single-phase transformer theory.

Lab 6: Lineworker Apprenticeship Operations

Self Study: Participants expand their technical knowledge and hands-on skills in this five-day lab focused on aerial lift operations, transformer applications, and safe work practices. Training covers aerial lift inspection, arc flash hazards, PPE inspections, bucket truck rescue, system operations, single-phase and three-phase transformer theory, transformer connections and calculations, and insulation and isolation techniques.

Lab 7: Lineworker Apprenticeship Troubleshooting

5 Days: Participants develop the technical knowledge and hands-on skills needed to understand system protection, coordination, and troubleshooting in this five-day lab. Training covers safety, hotline tools, protective devices, substations, breakers, fuses, voltage regulators, capacitors, instrumentation and metering, single-line drawings, and troubleshooting techniques.

Lab 8: Lineworker Apprenticeship Final Exam

This comprehensive three-day exam is the f inal step in completing the TVPPA Lineworker Apprenticeship Program and evaluates the knowledge, skills, and safe work practices apprentices have developed throughout the program. The exam includes a 100-question written assessment and instructor-observed f ield skills evaluations covering areas such as troubleshooting, proper grounding techniques, and isolating and grounding.

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Lineworker Apprenticeship Program (LAP)