Powerline technicians play a vital role in ensuring the reliable delivery of electricity to homes and businesses across the country. Our program provides training with a focus on practical hands-on training in the utility electrical field related to overhead and underground distribution installations. You'll cover all of the material in the first-year Powerline Technician Apprenticeship curriculum, spend some time on the poles and receive additional safety training, as well as a two-week practicum placement.

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Career Opportunities

As a journeyperson in the Powerline industry, you will have opportunities in:

  • Local, provincial, and national powerline industry service providers
  • Maintenance of existing powerlines and service areas
  • Overhead distribution maintenance and installation
  • Transmission maintenance and installation
  • Underground distribution maintenance and installation

Additional information can be found at the following links:

Powerline Technician: Occupations in Alberta
Tradesecrets - Powerline Technician
Curriculum Guide

Visit ALIS website for more career information.

$105,237

the average annual salary of a powerline technician working in Alberta

15

the number of weeks to go from no experience to writing the first-period Alberta Powerline Technician Apprenticeship exam

At-a-Glance

Starts-in

September and February

Credential / Accreditation

Certificate

Duration

15 weeks

Dates and Deadlines

Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.

Academic Centre

Centre for Trades

Program Availability
Domestic Status
International Status
International Status with Study Permit
Fall 2024
Open
Unavailable
Unavailable
Powerline Technician

Admissions

This program is not available for International Students.

All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.

Academic Requirements

  • Successful completion of English 20-2, Math 20-3, and Science10, pass Apprenticeship Entrance Exam, or passing mark in all five Canadian General Education Development (GED) tests.
  • A valid driver's license (class 3 is recommended).

Non-Academic Requirements

  • This program takes place on a remote campus at the Agriculture &Trades Training Facility (former Animal Husbandry Building) 211034-Hwy 512 on the jail road.
  • Safety and climbing equipment are required to be purchased by students.
  • The ability to lift heavy objects weighing in excess of 25 kilograms.
  • Be comfortable working at heights.
  • Good physical coordination and manual dexterity.
  • Mechanical ability.
  • Good hearing and colour vision.
  • The ability to work at heights and in varying extreme climates.
  • The ability to work as a member of a team and adapt to changing tasks and locations.
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Delivery Formats

The Pre-Employment Powerline Technician program is delivered on campus through an apprenticeship-style training but may have some blended and hyflex components.

Blended

This program includes both face-to-face/on-campus and online delivery in both synchronous (learning occurs in real-time on a set schedule) and asynchronous (learning does not occur at the same time or same place) formats.

Hyflex

This program is offered both on-campus and online; lectures and hands-on training opportunities are delivered through video conference, allowing students the option to attend classes in-person or remotely.

On Campus

This program is delivered in a face-to-face format on the main Lethbridge College campus. Lectures, labs and hands-on training opportunities will all take place on campus in Lethbridge.

Courses

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Upon successful completion of The Pre-Employment Powerline Technician program, you will:

  • be prepared to write the First Period Alberta Apprenticeship Examination.
  • be prepared to be employed within the Powerline Technician industry in Alberta.
  • have learned valuable employability skills through classroom and hands-on training.
  • obtain a Pre-Powerline Technician certificate.

Curriculum:

  • PWL 1100 Standard Workplace Safety & Codes (3 credits)
  • PWL 1101 Intro to Electrical Theory (6 credits)
  • PWL 1102 Intro to Transformer Theory (3 credits)
  • PWL 1103 Overhead Line Construction (6 credits)
  • PWL 1104 Practicum Placement (1.5 credits)

View course timetables

Tuition and Fees

Title Tuition Fees Books/Supplies
Powerline Technician
$7,800.00
$985.00
$4,200.00
Notes

Costs for supplies may vary considerably depending on what students already have or where they purchased their supplies; cost provided is on the moderately high end.

Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage prior to the end of the first week of class.

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