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 completion of the Academy, participants will be qualified in equipment operation and pole climbing. In addition, they will receive their Basic First Aid and CPR Certification, their OSHA 10-Hour ET&D Construction Card, and will be given the opportunity to enter the job market prepared with the knowledge, skills, and abilities prospective employers within the electric power industry require. Texas CDLIn addition, participants of this course will have the opportunity to pursue a Texas Commercial Driver License (CDL). To obtain this license, participants must apply through the Texas Department of Public Safety and meet the following requirements: Complete a CDL application. Meet the general requirements for eligibility (page iii of the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook). Complete a written and skills test at participating Department of Motor Vehicle offices. Show less

The Electric Utilities Personal Protective Grounding Practices course emphasizes the importance and the need to effectively ground systems and vehicles to protect the line worker as well as equipment. Emphasis is placed on potential hazards to ground personnel and the public when using protective grounding along with the purpose, testing, inspection, and application of protective grounds on overhead and underground electrical utility systems. At the completion of training, participants will have a working knowledge of protective grounding practices and the inspection, testing, and installation procedures of protective grounds as well as hazards associated with using improper equipment or configurations. Show less

The Electrical Transmission and Distribution Safe Work Practices course provides participants with an overview of the “must-know” skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to work safely around electric utility tools, materials, equipment, facilities, and systems. Throughout the course, participants utilize the American Public Power Association (APPA) safety manual and access applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards to garner knowledge and best practices established for safe work procedures and compliance regulations linked to electrical transmission and distribution system operations. At the completion of this course, participants will be familiar with the nationally recognized safe work practices, precautions, basic safe work procedures, and regulatory compliance measures linked to construction and maintenance work on electric utility transmission and distribution systems. Show less

The Aerial Bucket Truck Operators course provides training to participants on all operational requirements and processes specific to proper preventive maintenance checks on aerial bucket trucks and safe operational skills. During training, participants utilize both company-owned and TEEX Bucket Truck vehicles to perform skill testing, job-related simulations, and scenario-driven aerial lift rescue operations. 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

The Medic First Aid and CPR course will provide training to attendees to use First Aid, including performing CPR, and using an Automated External Defibrillators on adults.  In addition, the course will provide information on preventing disease from bloodborne pathogens. Participants will be provided all materials needed and will be taught to use lifesaving skills to include the proper use of CPR and first aid procedures.Upon successful completion of this course, participants will learn how to use the following: Automated External Defibrillators (AED) Bloodborne pathogensBasic First Aid proceduresMedic First Aid/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)Be able to demonstrate proficiency during all practice session CPR and first aid application scenarios. 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 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 completion of the Academy, participants will be qualified in equipment operation and pole climbing. In addition, they will receive their Basic First Aid and CPR Certification, their OSHA 10-Hour ET&D Construction Card, and will be given the opportunity to enter the job market prepared with the knowledge, skills, and abilities prospective employers within the electric power industry require. Texas CDLIn addition, participants of this course will have the opportunity to pursue a Texas Commercial Driver License (CDL). To obtain this license, participants must apply through the Texas Department of Public Safety and meet the following requirements: Complete a CDL application. Meet the general requirements for eligibility (page iii of the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook). Complete a written and skills test at participating Department of Motor Vehicle offices. 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. Show less

SPRAT Level 1, 2, and 3 Certification is designed to provide an overview of the skills required to successfully complete Society of Processional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) Level 1, 2, or 3 certification. This course consists of four days of hands-on technique practice followed by one day of instruction for evaluation and a practical exam. Our Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) training is eligible for use of VA Education Benefits.NOTE:  Only SPRAT Level 1 training is eligible.SPRAT Level 1, 2, and 3 Certification consists of the following three courses:SPRAT Level 1 CertificationSPRAT Level 2 Certification – Can be taken six months after Level 1 certification AND 500 hours accruedSPRAT Level 3 Certification – Can be taken six months after Level 2 certification AND 500 hours accruedUpon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to perform respective level 1, 2, or 3 SPRAT tasks. Show less

The Tower Technician Level One course answers the need for qualified technicians with comprehensive cutting edge technical training provided to participants with an interest in the industry. This VA Education Benefits Eligible course gives you a challenging two-week, 88-hour learning experience. In addition to traditional classroom training, each participant has the opportunity to engage in multiple field exercises and other hands-on training scenarios; all followed by scenario testing used to determine student comprehension. Registered participants will be challenged physically during this intensive technical training program and should be prepared for climbing exercises while carrying specialized tools used to perform tower prop installation tasks. Successful graduates are eligible for the Tower Apprentice Program supported by industry hiring partners. All qualified students will have the opportunity to become a member of a four-person team responsible for deploying next generation Wireless Networks. Show less