In Dallas, you have a few ways to become a lineworker, and one the of the best is by attending a trade school. You can become a linewoker with both trade school training and hands-on experience working with electricity and power lines.
How Do I Become a Lineworker in Dallas?
Ready to become a linework in Dallas?
You can graduate from trade school or go directly to an apprenticeship.
While starting as an apprentice may sound like the quicker option, you can actually get more practice and cut down on the years that you need to be an apprentice by attending a trade school program.
Most students get a trade school diploma and then become an apprentice before getting a license as a journeyman in Dallas.
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As an apprentice alone, you may only learn one aspect of working on electrical power lines and miss out on curriculum that can build a strong foundation that an apprenticeship will build upon.
When you attend a trade school, you learn from industry experienced instructors. This gives you personal attention and the ability to create lasting friendships with classmates.
Plus, trade schools offer career services for graduates to write resumes that stand out, prepare for interviews, and find the job you are passionate about.
What Does a Lineworker Do?
Lineworkers install or repair electrical power systems and telecommunication cables. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, lineworkers do the following:
- Install, maintain, and repair power lines.
- Identify and replace defective devices, voltage regulators, transformers, and switches.
- Test power lines and auxiliary equipment.
- String power lines between homes, street poles, towers, and buildings.
- Climb poles and transmission towers or use truck-mounted buckets to repair power lines.
- Drive work vehicles to job sites and remote transformer stations.
- Follow safety standards and protocols.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Lineworker in Dallas?
A Lineworker program in Dallas, Texas, can be completed In as little as 12 weeks attending full-time.
As a professional lineworker, you become certified in many different areas to perform your job safely and efficiently. These certifications include:
Bucket Rescue Certification – training that is compliant with OSHA and ANSI for the safe rescue of lineworkers exposed to electric shock.
Pole Top Rescue Certification – teaches the skills necessary to save a person’s life that is exposed to electric shock while at the top of an electric power pole.
First Aid Certification – a certification given by the American Red Cross for certification in injury and wound management.
CPR Certification – teaches lineworkers to give life saving CPR in an emergency situation. Those that are CPR certified can use life-saving procedures on someone who cannot breathe on their own due to a near-drowning incident, suffocation or a cardiac event.
Climbing Certification – certification that a lineworker has learned and can perform safe climbing of electrical poles from both classroom and field training.
OSHA 10 Certification – students learn how to manage common safety and health hazards. During this course, you earn an OSHA-10 card.
Are Lineworkers in Dallas in Demand?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of lineworkers is projected to grow 6% in the coming decade.* Growth in the USA is expected as a result of the need to replace workers that are retiring or moving on to less strenuous jobs.
Are There Any Lineworker Associations in Dallas?
There are a few associations that support lineworkers. One of the most recognized in Dallas is the Dallas Lineman Union.
IBEW 69 – Dallas Lineman Union
The IBEW Local 69 is an organization that supports lineworkers in Dallas. They represent over 1,000 members working in the Utility and Broadcasting industries.
National Association of Journeyman Linemen (NAJL)
The NAJL is an organization exclusively for Journeymen Linemen dedicated to their members sacrifice and dedication.
Final Thoughts
Now that you how that lineworkers are in demand in Dallas, it is time to learn more about the trade schools in your area. Find the trade school the fits your educational goals and start working as a linemen apprentice in as little as 12 weeks.
Want to Learn More?
Because becoming a lineman is a hands-on job, technical training is typically required for anyone to enter this field. Many people decide to invest in a trade program to learn the trade skills they need to be safe and effective as a professional. To learn more about our Electrical Lineworker program offered at the Dallas Metro campus contact us at Tulsa Welding School, call (214) 227-9911.
* According to BLS data Texas employed 14,090 Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (499051) through May 2021 http://data.bls.gov/oes.
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