1. Energy careers
  2. Trades
  3. Electrical Powerline and Cable Worker

Electrical Powerline and Cable Worker

NOC #72203

  • Environment Primarily outdoor work
  • Education High school diploma
  • Average salary $74,000 to $108,000

Career profile

Electrical powerline and cable workers work with crew members from other professions and trades, such as electricians, to construct, maintain and repair the overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems that make up the electrical power grid. During the construction of energy facilities and pipelines, these workers ensure the significant power requirements of these projects are met.

Pipelines, Oil sands, Construction

In this occupation activities may include:

  • Travelling in trucks, helicopters and planes to inspect lines for freedom from obstruction and adequacy of insulation
  • Erecting and maintaining steel, wood, or concrete poles, towers and guy wires
  • Installing, maintaining and repairing electrical distribution and transmission systems, including conduits, cables, wires and related equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers and switches
  • Laying underground cable directly in trenches, or stringing it through conduit running through the trenches
  • Inspecting and testing power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems using reading and testing instruments

Education

  • A high school diploma (or equivalent) is typically required.

Certifications

  • Standard and emergency first aid
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
  • Fall protection
  • Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
  • Confined Space entry

Licensing

  • Completion of a provincial three- or four-year lineman/women apprenticeship program is required to become a certified tradesperson. Another route into apprenticeship training is a pre-apprenticeship foundation program.
  • The Red Seal endorsement is the interprovincial standard of excellence, and is available to tradespersons upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

  • Minimal or no travel
  • Primarily outdoor work
  • Physical work
  • Safety-sensitive environment
  • Work away from home/in camps

Your skills include problem solving, teamwork and physical strength.

  • Building and construction
  • Active listening
  • Selecting equipment
  • Installing equipment
  • Attention to detail
  • Public safety and security
  • Critical thinking
  • Quality control analysis
  • Repairing machines and systems
  • Analyzing systems