Powerline Technician (Optional Co-op)
Program details
Credential: 2-Year Ontario College DiplomaThis two-year highly practical course of study is designed to prepare students for many facets of powerline and related occupations. Students will learn the basic skills required for the construction, maintenance and repair of overhead and underground power distribution systems and transmission lines.
Students will have the opportunity to complete level 1 and 2 apprenticeship in-school training provided through the MEARIE Group at the Hydro One training centre in Kleinburg, Ontario. Graduates will be required to complete level 3 and 4 as well as meet the requirements specified by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) in order to become a journeyperson.
Student availability & wage data
Conestoga College facilitates recruitment on an ongoing basis - there are no hard deadlines. Typical time frames for work terms are listed below.
Postings are accepted beginning four months before the start of a term until all students have secured employment provided the minimum 12 consecutive weeks of full-time work is met.
Work/Study Sequence
| Year | Fall (Sept - Dec) | Winter (Jan - Apr) | Spring (May - Aug) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Classes | Classes | Work Term 1: $18-36 |
| Year 2 | Classes | Work Term 2: $21-39 | Classes |
Conestoga College collects data on hourly wages of co-operative education students and offers suggested ranges as a service to employers for the purpose of establishing fair and competitive compensation.
Our experience has been that employers increase wages as skills increase, particularly when employing students for more advanced work terms. The Co-operative Education Office can provide assistance to employers in establishing appropriate wage rates.
Work term capabilities
Specific skills and abilities that students are typically capable of performing during a given work term are listed below.
Work term 1
- Demonstrate proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as hand and power tools specific to powerline technicians
- Install traffic protection plans as per Book 7
- Gather and assemble material and deliver to the jobsite
- Gather material as needed by the crew
- Maintain a clean worksite and equipment
- Participate in effective job plans and tailboard sessions
- Employ proper use of fall restrict and fall protection equipment
- Perform pole top rescues and bucket evacuations
- Perform radial boom derrick (RBD), and Material Handling Aerial Device (MHAD) holding valve checks and competently set up units for operation
- Assist in the installation and removal of poles in a de-energized work area
- Demonstrate the procedure to safely install / remove temporary working grounds to establish a safe work area
- Perform as a member of an experienced powerline crew with routine duties established by the utility or company
- Demonstrate a strong work ethic and attitude
- Students who have completed the 1st and 2nd semester will have had the opportunity to obtain industry certificate courses prior to starting the work term
Work term 2
- Perform all duties as outlined in Work Term I Capabilities above
- Contribute to the identification of workplace hazards and controls
- Assist in the preparation and performance of Boom Current Leakage Tests
- Prepare and install material and apparatus for construction of overhead distribution system, according to standards, in a de-energized environment
- Assist with and/or perform hoisting and dead-ending of primary and secondary conductors
- Familiar with the inspection, care and use of rubber protective equipment
- Familiar with the inspection, care and use of live line tools
- Familiar with the inspection, care and use of a Loadbuster tool
- Assist with the installation and connection of single-phase overhead transformers
- Familiar with single-phase underground distribution components, including pad-mount transformers, load-break elbows, cold-shrink terminations, and underground secondary services
- Perform as a member of an experienced powerline crew with routine duties established by the utility or company
Sample job titles
- Apprentice Powerline Technician
Post a co-op job now
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Contact information
Do you need help developing a recruitment plan or job posting, accessing wage information, or connecting with a talented co-op student? Contact:
Ken Buitenhuis
Employer Relations Consultant
kbuitenhuis@conestogac.on.ca
226-808-2848