Electrical Line Technician - Technology and Occupational Sciences

Employment opportunities can vary depending on interest. Generally graduates find apprenticeships with electrical contractors, which normally requires extensive travel and a variable work site reporting location, or with electrical utilities, which usually results in a fixed work site reporting location.

Graduates may also find employment as cable TV and telephone installers or with communications tower installation and maintenance companies. Whether with a contractor or a utility, an apprenticeship usually requires about 7,000 hours of on -the-job training to achieve journey person status (about three and one-half years).

Job opportunities are available nationwide. Once journey person status has been achieved, you will have a profession that is easily transportable and needed by most of the population -- virtually anywhere in the world. 

You will receive an up-to-date tool list before the semester starts, complete with a visual presentation showing what each tool looks like and how to measure properly.

Here is what you can expect regarding gear and equipment:

• Flexible Price Points: Lists feature options across multiple vendors to fit different budgets.

• Local Sourcing: Direct contact information for local suppliers is included.

• Try-Before-You-Buy: You can contact your instructor before the semester begins to try on equipment and check sizing.

• Career-Ready Investment: The tool kits are designed as long-term equipment that you will take directly into your professional career.

If heights aren't your thing, chances are you won't like this career, but if you ask anyone in the field, they'll probably tell you that the first time they climbed a pole it was pretty scary. That's why we spend a lot of time in the field learning proper technique and safety to make sure your confidence grows along with your comfort. You can expect safety gear fittings, demonstrations, and plenty of practice before you find yourself at the top of a pole.

Students spend time both in the classroom and the field, entirely located at NMU's Jacobetti Complex. Students are on the field immediately and begin climbing lessons the first week. This one year, two-semester program has full curriculum to prepare students with equal practical and theoretical education. In addition, students can expect guest speakers and networking opportunities with alumni and industry leaders.