Lineworker Technician

Apprentice Program

 

VMDAEC Training Center
1293 Salem Church Road, Palmyra, VA 22963

 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Virginia-Maryland-Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) has developed apprentice training for Power Delivery Programs (PDPs). PDPs are approved by the State of Virginia Department of Labor & Industry (DOLI) and will qualify the individual apprentices for a Certificate Issued from the VA DOLI upon completion.

The apprentice programs are designed for four-years and consist of eight-steps to complete unless otherwise stated (See Course Outline Below). There are specific requirements in the program to ensure competency and proficiency for everyone enrolled in the PDP.

 

FOUR YEARS / 8 STEPS

The four-year apprentice training program consists of eight steps. Each step consists of a 32-hour workshop presented at the VMDAEC Training Center and are scheduled at six-month intervals. Each workshop will introduce the student to topics that are relevant to their assigned jobs. As the workshops progress, the materials presented and taught become more difficult and challenge the student to grow in their craft.
The workshops are designed to allow each student to develop or enhance their technical knowledge and demonstrated skills enabling them to execute basic skills when they return to their respective jobs. Each workshop will have training modules with tests and hands-on training in the particular topics being taught. When the student returns to their job they will be prepared to complete the Northwest Lineman College module tests.

LEARN ON-THE-JOB

When attending each workshop, students will be provided a curriculum package of material to review and learn on-the-job over the next six months. Each curriculum package will provide the student with additional knowledge that builds on previous steps. Students will be required to take written examinations covering the materials learned in the curriculum package. The examinations will be mailed to the VMDAEC meter program instructor for grading and recording. Graded tests will be returned to the student’s utility designated person or department.

JOB COMPETENCY

An integral part of the curriculum material is the successful completion of the “Job Competency” requirements that are included with each curriculum package. The student must demonstrate their “Job Competency” to their utilities designated person by performing the required job tasks learned. Once the designated utility person is satisfied that the student can perform each task competently, the designated person will sign-off on the “Job Competency Form” and the student is then considered qualified to perform that task.

A signed copy of the completed “Job Competency Form” must be returned to: Dirrick K. Simmons, Safety Training Coordinator, Electric Cooperative Training Center, 1293 Salem Church Road, Palmyra, VA 22963.

MODULE 1

Step 1

  • Introduction to Power Delivery
  • Safety 1
  • Working in Elevated Positions
  • Knots, Splices, and Rope
  • Electrical Systems

 

Step 2

  • First Aid
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Basic Electrical Theory
  • Transformer Basics
  • OSHA 1

MODULE 2

Step 3

  • Safety 2
  • AC Fundamentals
  • Personal Protective Grounding
  • Live-Line Equipment and Methods
  • Rigging

 

Step 4

  • Underground Conductors
  • Overhead Conductors
  • Electrical Test Equipment
  • Introduction to Substations
  • OSHA 2

MODULE 3

Step 5

  • Safety 3
  • Special Elements 1
  • Metering
  • System Power Flow
  • Advanced Transformers

 

Step 6

  • Maps and Standards
  • System Protection
  • NESC 1
  • NESC 2
  • OSHA 3

MODULE 4

Step 7

  • Safety 4
  • Communication Systems
  • Special Elements 2
  • Vegetation Management
  • System Operation

 

Step 8

  • System Automation
  • Overhead Line Design
  • Underground Line Design
  • Trouble Investigation
  • Crew Leadership

 

PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

 

All Apprentice Programs meet the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s (VA DOLI) Standards of Accreditation. The purpose of accreditation is to establish and maintain high educational standards and practices, and to evaluate institutions of higher learning fairly and consistently. The VMDAEC Apprentice Programs meet the requirements and standards of Virginia Administrative Code 16VAC20-21-50 Standards of Apprentice Programs.

 

 

REGISTRATION PROCESS

 

Part 1: Register with Northwest Lineman College

Note: All enrollment forms are now digital. Paper forms are no longer accepted.

    1. Email Power Delivery Programs (PDP) at [email protected] with the following:
        • Student name and email address
        • Test Facilitator name and email address
    2. PDP staff will email out the Student Agreement

For the full NLC enrollment process, click here: PDP Enrollment Process

  1.  

Part 2: Register with the Association below

LTAP 1

October 25 – 29, 2021

Monday 1:00 – 5:00
Tuesday – Thursday 8:00 – 4:00
Friday 8:00 – 12:00

Members $800
Non-Members $1,000


Register Here!

 

HOTEL INFORMATION

 

For a list of hotels near the training center, with special rates for VMDAEC cooperatives and guests, click here. 

Questions? Contact Dirrick Simmons, at [email protected] or (434) 510-4000.