Electrical Power Line and Cable Workers
NOC 7244
Description
Electrical power line and cable workers construct, maintain and repair overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems. They are employed by electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies, electrical contractors and public utility commissions.
Duties
- Install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems including overhead and underground power lines and cables, insulators, conductors, lightning arrestors, switches, transformers and other associated equipment
- Erect and maintain steel, wood or concrete poles, towers and guy wires
- Splice, solder and insulate conductors and related wiring to connect power distribution and transmission networks using splicing tools, related electrical equipment and tools
- Inspect and test overhead and underground power lines and cables and auxiliary equipment using electrical test equipment
- Climb ladders or operate hydraulic buckets when working aloft on poles and towers, or work in confined spaces such as trenches and tunnels to install power lines and cables and associated equipment
- Install and maintain street lighting systems
- Communicate with other workers to co-ordinate the preparation and completion of work assignments.
Other Titles
- power lineman/woman
- apprentice lineman/woman – electric power systems
- cable splicer – electrical power
- powerline technician
- construction lineman/woman – electrical power line
- power line patroller
- cable installer – electrical power
(Government of Canada National Occupation Classification)
Skills
- Verbal communication
- Dexterity
- Technical skills
- Attention to detail
- Physical stamina
- Problem solving
- Numeracy
Education/Training Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- Completion of secondary school is usually required
Post-secondary diploma/degree
- Completion of a provincial three- or four-year lineman/woman apprenticeship program OR a combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in electrical technology is usually required for electrical power line and cable workers.
- Completion of a recognized medical transcription program for medical transcriptionists
Certification
- Trade certification for powerline technicians is available, but voluntary
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified powerline technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Potential Earnings in Durham Region
The average and median wages and salaries for individuals employed as electrical power line and cable workers are as follows. Place of Residence (POR) is defined as individuals who reside within the Durham Region. Place of Work (POW) is defined as individuals who are employed within the Durham Region.
| Median Wages and Salaries (POR) | Average Wages and Salaries (POR) | Median Wages and Salaries (POW) | Average Wages and Salaries (POW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $76,013 | $68,256 | $76,043 | $65,183 |
Employment Prospects
| Industry (NAICS) | Jobs in Durham Region (POW) | Durham Region Residents Employed (POR) |
|---|---|---|
| 2371 Utility system construction | 75 | 75 |
(Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development 2016 data in Durham Workforce Authority’s 2017 Sector Report)
Additional Resources
- Red Seal certification: http://www.red-seal.ca/w.2lc.4m.2-eng.html