Powerline Technician (Optional Co-op)

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Applying as a Canadian applicant

Domestic students should apply online or by phone at 1-888-892-2228.

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Admissions - September 2025

Admission requirements

** Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, OR 19 years of age or older.

  • Grade 12 compulsory English, C or U, or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Communications (COMM1251), or equivalent
  • Grade 12 Mathematics, C or U, or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Mathematics (MATH1420).
  • For more information on preparatory programs, visit Academic Upgrading

Canadian admissions contact

Admission procedures

  • Academic strength is calculated by averaging all submitted senior level secondary school marks or test results (or equivalent) of the required subjects. Minimum academic strength considered is 75%.
  • If mid-term marks from relevant subjects are not available at the time admission decisions are made, Grade 11 marks from the relevant subjects may be used to determine the candidate's eligibility to continue in the competition. These candidates will be required to successfully complete the relevant Grade 12 courses with marks that meet the academic strength cutoff before the start of classes.
  • Ten (10) additional marks are added to each Advanced level, OAC, U, U/C, and post-secondary course used in the calculation of academic strength.
  • A sound mathematical and English background is important for success in this program and is considered during the admissions selection process. Minimum academic requirements may apply.
  • Applicants meeting minimum academic strength requirements (75% average of required subjects) are invited to begin the process, which requires them to:
  • Participate in a Program Orientation Session
  • Complete a mandatory Powerline Technician Profile used to identify significant education/skills/character traits/physical fitness that may be considered as part of the application to the Powerline Technician program.
  • The profile is not a formal test but a grade is assigned.
  • The profile is intended to assess the applicant's understanding of the powerline profession and their aptitude and suitability for this career.
  • Final selection is a combination of academic strength with the scores obtained on the Powerline Technician Profile.
  • Physical fitness is essential for success in this program and an evaluation may be a component of the admission assessment.

Program requirements

  • Students are strongly advised to ensure they are free of acrophobia (fear of heights) and claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces). A deficit in either of these areas may prevent securing employment in the powerline field.
  • Students are required to provide their own CSA-approved (Omega symbol required) footwear. In addition, students are required to purchase a mandatory tools and equipment package that they will use both in the program, and upon graduation. This cost is in addition to the listed program fees (equipment package cost $3,154 in 2022).
  • Attendance in classroom and during practical training is essential.
  • Students are required to demonstrate the same attention to punctuality, attendance and safety as would be required by the business or industry in which they are or expect to be employed.
  • In view of strenuous physical demands on the powerline technician, it is strongly recommended that applicants acquire and maintain a good level of physical fitness. Co-op employers may require a fitness certificate obtained from an approved certified testing facility.
  • Please note: the opportunity to complete level(s) of apprenticeship trade schooling and additional industry-related certifications is at an additional cost.
  • Academic eligibility for a co-op work term is based on the term that occurs two terms prior to any work term. If this term is also a co-op work term, then work term eligibility will be based on the student’s achievement during the preceding academic term.
  • Should a student’s academic performance decline considerably (including cumulative missed courses) during the term just prior to any work term, the college reserves the right to withdraw the student from the upcoming work term.
  • Students may only defer one work term regardless of the reason(s) (e.g. failed or missed work term).
  • Students who do not successfully complete their deferred work term will be removed from the co-op stream.
  • Since only one work term may be failed/deferred regardless of the reason(s), should a subsequent work term be missed/failed/unsecured (not successfully completed for any reason) the student will be immediately removed from the co-op stream.
  • Students who are discontinued are not eligible for co-op work terms.
  • To be eligible for a co-op work term, students are required to achieve a minimum 70% session weighted average, in Level 1 with no failed or dropped courses.

Credit transfer

You might be eligible to enter a program at an advanced level, or be exempt from a course, if you have formal post-secondary education. Learn more about credit transfer opportunities.

Pathways

Some Conestoga programs have pathways for current students, including certificate-to-diploma, diploma-to-diploma and diploma-to-degree opportunities. Learn more about pathways at Conestoga.

Articulation agreements

Conestoga partners with other post-secondary institutions, allowing students the opportunity to study elsewhere, usually in pursuit or an academic credential. Learn more about articulation agreements.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Through PLAR, Conestoga may credit prior learning or skills acquired through employment, formal and informal education, or life experiences. Learn more about PLAR at Conestoga.

Disclaimer

The College reserves the right to alter information including requirements and fees and to cancel at any time a program, course, or program major or option; to change the location and/or term in which a program or course is offered; to change the program curriculum as necessary to meet current competencies in the job market or for budgetary reasons; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications or registrations, over-acceptance of offers of admission, budgetary constraints, or for other such reasons. In the event the College exercises such a right, the College’s sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to the College. Students actively registered in cohort delivered programs who take longer than the designed program length of time to complete their studies are accountable for completing any new or additional courses that may result due to changes in the program of study. Unless otherwise stated, students registered in non-cohort delivered programs must complete the program of study within seven years of being admitted to the program.