Finally! A wonderful person who can clearly describe this experience in a pragmatic and heartfelt way! Thank goodness for you young man! Great advice and sweet demeanor. My hubby is headed into this arena with confidence because of you!
Thanks again guys! Take care of yourselves and i’ll talk to you all soon! Big Love! 1:02 - How I Started 4:36 - Is Line School Necessary? 5:43 - Travel & Hours 7:02 - Types of Work 8:12 - Best Place To Start 9:20 - Starting A New Job 10:42 - Cost of Line School 11:01 - Tests Required to Enter A College 11:22 - Typical Work Week 12:02 - Relocating 12:14 - Prior Experience? 12:49 - Groundman/1st Step Wages 13:22 - Is There Always Work? 14:17 - Fear of Heights 15:29 - Best Place To Start (Repetitive but different scenario) 17:02 - How To Get Into An Apprenticeship 18:24 - Residency In Jurisdictions 19:03 - Why I Chose SELCAT 20:30 - Is Pre-College Training Required? 21:28 - Prior Injuries 22:39 - Starting Apprentice Salaries 23:13 - Knowledge Required for Math 24:07 - Is Line School Worth It? 25:42 - Fastest Way To Start
Come across this video from watching another one. We live in ky and my son is out on right now due to the ice storm that come through. He started working on one side of the state and ending up on the other side. I pray for him and all the lineman out there. He was called to Birmingham Alabama last year as well. He has been in this profession since he was 19. Now 34. He loves his job and his work family. Again....Prayers for all the lineman out there. 🙏. My Son started out in Desiel school and he got the call from Owen Electric here in Owen County ky Electric. He started out as a meter reader and worked his way up. Very proud of him.
Thanks so much for this video! For the past six months I wasn’t all that sure about this career but your videos and others have given me the confidence to enter this trade once I graduate from high school. Most people my age have little to no clue what they want to do and having this goal of becoming a highly paid tradesman is very reassuring to me. I hope to land an apprenticeship either in Florida or closer to my home in Washington state and then to become employed by a utility in the Pacific Northwest once I have my journeyman certification. Stay safe and I hope you can resume working soon!
Yeah dude !! So stoked to hear your thinking about this now man I didn’t realize how much potential there was in blue collar trades either til I turned 20 man ! It’s totally normal to not have an idea of what you want to do as well man don’t ever beat yourself up for that, as long as your taking steps forward that’s all that matters man you have the world in your hands! Whatever you need help with i’m all yours my dude thanks heaps your comment made my day !!
I really appreciate your outlook on the whole trade and especially as far as traveling. I feel like I have a similar mindset to yours. "surrender" was probably the most interesting point you made man, looking forward to getting into this trade, you've eased my mind on a lot of the things I was worried about.
I did one year of natural gas compression program and received my certifications. I got few good jobs but I kept getting laid off. Oil field jobs right now are slow and some companies are bankrupt and I decided to find new career, and say fuck the oil and gas field. So I looked up hvac and electrician schools or training and I see a lineman training video and it’s NLC. So I check it out and daaamn it opened up a new purpose for me. And I did a lot of research and found a school near me and I got accepted. So now it’s just a waiting game bcuz the training starts in November. I’m excited, nervous and ready for new journey. Thanks for the video. Gives me more courage and purpose in life. Oh nice background music too. Stay safe
Also how’s the culture of the trade? I’ve worked in SO many different trades (framing, roofing, water/fire restoration, concrete, remodeling, army National Guard as a medic,and snow removal and im only 22😅) but the biggest thing that stuck out was the culture in the workforce can make or break how much you enjoy your job which is vital too me especially if I’m going to be thousands of miles away from everything I know so I guess that’s my biggest concern before I make the step
Post more videos man. Day in the life or something you seem super real and chill and the more I can learn about being a lineman before I go to school the better!! Great video!
yea alec!! tysm man totally will! laid off rn but as soon as i’m back on the job and in my camper i’m gonna give you guys as much inside the job footage as i can! big love dude !
This job is not for everyone. Make sure you know what your getting into before wasting money on line school. Good luck to you guys. It’s a great career but it’s not easy and it’s hazardous as hell. Take care of your bodies.
Thank you so much for the follow up video!! I know you get a lot of questions but could you talk alittle more about your camper and truck setup and why you went that route .. talk alittle about housing while on the road !! Your such a help man please keep videos coming !
So helpful!! Leaving the management/retail world to pursue this, and you answered so many questions! I like how you touch on local Municipalities, I want to be “home” as much as possible since my son is still young. Thank you!
Hello everyone, after I finished NLC I was flying to other states for tests and interviews, singed the books at my local IBEW union hall and Nothing. Don't give up the process can be long and get dragged out, I finally got on with a utility company which btw i recommend to skip signing the books at the union office and avoid working for contractors. But if u want to travel and for work for a contractor amd sign the books more power too you. But stay positive and patient because the process can be lengthy. But once your in, damn your gonna love it, ur lineman the work culture, the PAY it's definitely rewarding and a career.
Nice video, I'm at NLC in Oroville right now on week 10 and ready to start applying for work. This video is a good start as to what I would like to know. Thanks man!
Good stuff! How was the application process? I'm considering applying. I don't like the $100 non refundable fee... EDIT: I pulled the trigger and applied. Hoping to start December 7th.
Thanks for video dude!!! Im considering getting into the trade this video helps a lot. Also do you get used to working out in the elements, like the heat?
thank you so much man! and lol idk if you ever get “used to it” but you learn to adapt 🤣. i’ve worked in as low as 7 degrees in montana and 115 in florida. the best part of this trade is working outside and the worst part of this trade is working outside lol. all in all it’s worth it man !
yea keaton !! have an awesome time dude. there will be times it’ll get kinda stressful but it’s nothing man, trust me you’ll miss that place so much when u leave 😂. if u need any help i’m all ears. best of luck my dude !!
Chris Avendano Just By Applying Whenever A Position Would Open and Getting Experience Working The Underground Through Local 47. I got in as traffic control but was able to bid out as a groundman almost immediately when I got hired.
Hey, I graduated line school December last year and I’ve have been working on the underground side since January. I’ve been trying to find another company to make the switch to overhead but haven’t had any luck, any advice for me?
I wanted to be an electrical engeneer in the navy, had my contract and all and swore in, but then the corona bs happened and now I dont have anything planned for a future. This has helped me a lot. My friend told me about a lineman and there is a lot I need to learn, but this has helped me so much. I live in cali, and i guess its one of the best places to get paid, and i see its going to be a long ass time, which sucks because I like getting things over with, but thats just how life is i guess.
I’ve found going through pg&e to be the “easiest” if you already have years of electrical related experience I have an interview with them to be a tower man the dudes hanging from helicopters repairing and maintaining power lines!! Super stoked
Linework is really exciting when u first start, but I’ve found the longer u’ve been doing it, working long hours in crappy weather day after day and night after night gets old...The money is good, but it certainly comes at a cost....its not a Mon-Fri job its 24/7-365....when ur friends are going snowboarding or sledding for the big snow storm, ur gonna be working....Ive been in the electric industry for 16 years and 14 of those have been doing linework...Its a good paying job with good benefits, but it is a very demanding job...when the lights are out, ur working long hours until theyre back on...Just food for thought for some younger guys thinking of getting into the trade...
Aye Johnno!! How do those climbing spears feel around your legs? I ask because I snapped my fib/tib in right in half a year ago snowboarding so they put a rod n some screws in it and I start linemen school next month! My leg is still a little stiff but feeling pretty decent..
The climbers don’t put alot of pressure on your Legs. When I wear mine the pressure is on the upper part of my calf in the insides of the legs. You can wear Thick work socks under your velcro and it makes it super comfortable when climbing. But to answer your question It all really depends on where you broke your leg. The belt also takes off a good amount of pressure off It kinda just feels like you’re wearing Leg braces👍🏼
Hey Zach ! So surprisingly every apprenticeship i’ve applied for the interviews have ALL been different. SELCAT asked literally all personal and family-related questions. MSLCAT asked all questions pertaining to what your long term plans are and why they should choose you, CALNEV was probably the most chill and down to earth and they literally just thanked me for coming and interviewing and just shot the shit about random bs lol (my case may be different for others). Other than bringing some good energy and confidence, I would bring 6-7 portfolios (or a number enough for all the people interviewing you), enclosed with your resume, cover letter, and certifications. Is it necessary? No. Does it make a great first impression. Absolutely.
Good vid keep it up. I graduated nlc last nov and got a job with edison in the southbay. Was supposed to start training april 20th but because of this covid bullshit they had to put a hold on training.
yea allan tysm man !! i have 5 buddies that are in the same situation as you right now with edison. hoping it all blows over soon but as you know this is socal where we over exaggerate everything :). congrats dude super proud of u !
Great video! Do you think becoming a lineman is worth it ? I am planning on going to line school in oroville. But I just want to see what your perspective is after graduating and seeing if it was worth it.
tysm juan! i think it’s definitely a very rewarding trade that you have to make a lot of sacrifices for (i know 1000x have prob said this before). after a 3 year apprenticeship you pretty much have a phone book of brothers and a guaranteed six figure income for the rest of your life. but your happiness far exceeds any amount of money one could offer you! i might not be the best salesman for this trade but honestly man i just say to pursue whatever really makes you happy. you will do great no matter what !
Maybe a dumb question, butdo you need to show up in person to sign the books? Just trying to determine if I'm gunna be making some road trips in the near future. Thanks for the awesome video!!!!
Hey im new to your channel just liked and subbed, i saw ur first video and wow you look really different now lol Now I have an associates degree in electronic engineering, I wanted to become a electrical engineer, I love the idea of working with electricity and high voltages. How do I start the process of becoming a apprentice Im in NJ but i plan on moving to florida by next year
Lineman in the northwest passing on advive....apply everywhere, take what you can get. You are going to travel, when you top out you can do whatever the fuck you want wherever you want. 100% union, dont settle for less. Be safe
subscribing thanks for the helpful info! I'm a junior in high school right now btw so would even now be a good time to apply for an apprenticeship sense you said do it right away and/or is some sort of trade school/college better to invest time in first? Going to be in Atlanta if that makes any difference. More specifically incase that was confusing, should i become an apprentice or go to trade school, or will I have to become an apprentice no matter what? one more question: do you know of any lineman related jobs that would reach 75k a year or more minus places that're extremely taxed like NYC and washington and whatnot?
Can you sign the books at your local union and get into an apprenticeship before working as a groundman? I could wait for an apprenticeship opportunity but I couldn’t afford to take the pay cut as a groundman right now. If that makes sense. I live in Idaho and would like to get into the Idaho power apprenticeship program but they require you to attend a lineman school. NLC is 10 minutes from where I live and I could flex my work schedule for 15 weeks at my current job if needed. But coming up with the money for tuition right now is also an issue. Just weighing all my options. I have a decent job right now with good benefits but I’m maxed out for my position and there are not very good opportunities for advancement. And I’m pretty much over working in my current field.
Hey I’m 16 yrs and am VERY interested in getting into this trade. I know I can’t start going to training or school but is there anything you think I can study? Books? Any advice would help
Is there a lot of book work involved? Or is it all manual labor? All the videos I’ve seen make it look like manual labor is it but I’m doubting that’s the case.
i should be starting school this month at ESLAC …. Upon getting the certificate for pole climbing & sign the books at local 47 ….. am i going to have trouble getting work ? I kind of thought you can get a steady job as a groundman. What’s the difference in the groundman role and apprentice?
Hey man great video! I had a question about getting into a utility, is it more difficult to get into one? And what is the pay like vs contractor? Thanks 🙏
My advice is first get you a job with a utility company ,either a coop or an investor owened company then start off on the ground learing how to grunt for a lineman then they will start letting you climb then they will start letting you work out of a bucket truck pay attention to them old lineman thats what i did i worked for a coop down in the deep south for 33 yrs retired at 53yrs old with my full pension and insurance
Hey men! Thanks a lot for your videos! They are really helpful, I'm living in Florida and I'm looking for an opportunity to start in the lineman field as soon as I can since this is basically my dream job ,but I have no clue of where to start or where to go, I don't get that part of singing the books, my english is not 100% excellent since I wasn't born here so I might have not been able to understand completely your videos.
hey joesph no sweat at all dude ! I would say go to IBEW Local 222 and sign the groundman books and tell them you want to get started in this trade! You’ll learn so much info from other groundman, ape’s and JL’s on how to get into the apprenticeships etc. etc. on the job. I hope i didn’t just make this more sus by typing a bunch more you don’t understand. maybe shoot me a message on instagram sometime and i’ll try google translate to your native language or whatever i can do to help! best of luck mate !!
Hey man so I went to school for welding and I already have a welding job but it’s really hard to get into those high paid jobs unless you know someone that works there and I was considering going to school as a line man school since I already payed my student fees , do you think line man is a better trade than welding ? And also how hard is it to get a good paid job? And what’s the demand for line man in the future ? Thanks brother
Anheuser-Busch will give you a job that gets you a CDL if you're a veteran you can get into Anheuser-Busch if you're not a veteran but it's harder and helmets to hard hats is for veterans that gives them an apprenticeship once you get the CDl
Thanks man I really appreciated this. I am from Idaho and I can’t decide whether I should go to butte and get certified or go to the Meridian Northwest Lineman College
Just curious to know whats on the tests to get into an apprenticeship? And what kind of math is used in linework/ on the test for apprenticeship? Thanks alot subbed as well👍👍
some apprenticeships will have you take a math test while in their climbing, and when your in the apprenticeship you have book work tests every month until your a journeyman ! it’s more “scientific” math then anything but don’t let it deter you away, it sucks but it’s a learning curve for everyone and if i can do it you can absolutely! thank u so much for the sub man !!
I’ve been a low volt IBEW for years. I’ve investigated the lineman’s classes over here in an effort to step into another field. I’ve had very little luck getting anywhere. Even with years of electrical experience. Not sure what I’m doing wrong.
I just received the call from SELCAT Friday, headed to Cocoa Beach, Florida for transmission work in 4 hours. Now an apprentice for Service Electric out of Leesburg.
@@rackemwalk87 Absolutely man. I can tell you now it’ll be different from crew to crew and company to company. You will essentially be “learning” how to run a shovel and do the more labor intensive aspects for quite a while. Not sure if it’s true or not but my Foreman claims you can’t go up a pole or in a bucket until you’re a 3rd step or after FTS, which seems odd to me having already been through a line school and worked in a bucket or off a pole with a power company. Good Luck!
Thanks for this video it helped out alot to start my journey. I will be joining NWLC here in California and then apply for Edison or pg&e as a groundman since they require a lineman school. By the way the tuition here in California just went up to 20k not included housing, looks like I'm going to have to work an extra shift to pay it off since I don't want to go into debt by getting a loan.
wow! california for you lol. great plan man! get your cdl, finish line school, apply to those utilities and sign the groundbooks (1245 or 47) for some ground work and a great paycheck up until the apprenticeships get back to you!
I’m planning on going o NLC I’m Idaho after my military contract over the one in Oroville CA since they help with my CDL. Thoughts ? Also would you recommend signing the books at my local after NLC?
Hey man this is a great path to take! Yes i would 100% recommend signing after line school. Check out the helmets to hard hats program if you haven’t already. Thank you so much for your service i really appreciate it !
Thanks for this! Funny how similar I started out. I found out about the trade through my cousin went to NLC in CA then got my CDL headed worked in Butte and Helena as a groundman after interviewing at MSLCAT. Ended up heading to a SELCAT to interview and ranked 8th hoping to start soon as an overhead apprentice since theres no one laid off and they hire about 10 or so a day off the pending list. Stay safe man!
Hey bro great video!!! I just got into IBEW 47 in July of 2021. I’m starting off as a traffic control tech and I really wanna get into the lineman trade. I wanted to ask do you know anybody that went to lineman college up in Riverside? If so, were they in debt while they’re in the course?
I wanna get into selcat but on their website it says you have to have lived in there jurisdiction for a year at least so how did you apply to all the apprenticeships without being in their jurisdiction because I would like to apply to as many as I can
Hey, thanks for the video. Keeping it real with me... do you think it's a realistic outlook for a young woman to become a lineman? Are there any aspects of this work/the work environment that you think would be impractical for a woman to uphold? Thanks.
yes dude that’s awesome ! doing something different than my entire family tree of longshoreman lol. where you going to school man !! thank u for watching man !
Johnny Wycliff I’m going to the northwest campus up north. Your videos really help I was kinda scared because I had no idea what to expect. Thanks !!!!
Just curious but everyone keeps talking about how their line school is 20k and up but the local on here in Virginia is Southside Virginia Community College and that starts around 5k for 11 weeks and you get your CDL and all that too. Is there something different that I’m missing out on?
How were you able to get into selcat with the jurisdictional boundary are they not to strict so long as you can give them an address. My name wouldnt have to be on the bills would they. In rhe process of applying now just graduated Line school
I’m from near Birmingham Alabama that’s cool man but i’m planning on becoming an apprentice and is there a line school that’s like not super expensive? Because all the ones i see are like 15k to 18k and i guess if i had to i will go to one but i would rather not and just become an apprentice and work my way up and would they teach me to climb?? I am honestly starting to get confused with some things thanks man
