Apprenticeship

Powerline Technician

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Powerline technicians construct, maintain and repair overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems.

In general, powerline technicians:

Erect and maintain steel, wood or concrete poles, towers and guy wires; Install, maintain and repair overhead and underground power lines and cables, insulators, conductors, lightning arrestors, switches, transformers, street lighting and other associated equipment; Work with various types of heavy equipment including ariel booms, diggers (RDB), backhoes, trackhoes, nodwells, tension stringing equipment, and skid steers, and splice, solder and insulate conductors and related wiring to connect power distribution and transmission networks.

When there is a power disturbance, failure, or storm damage, powerline technicians locate the source of the problem, and replace or repair defective power lines and accessories. They use wiring diagrams, voltage indicating devices, and other electrical-testing instruments to identify defective automatic sectionalizing devices, circuit breakers, fuses, voltage regulators, transformers, switches, relays, or wiring. The power lines may be de-energized and grounded, or may remain energized. Live-line maintenance techniques are used on energized power lines. The hazards of working with energized power lines are reduced by use of special equipment and training with safe work practices and procedures.

Quick Facts

Credential: Journeyman Certificate

Hands-on and expert-led apprenticeship and industry training for skilled trades and technology professionals.

Campus: Main

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Main Campus in Edmonton. View map

Delivery Options:

  • Both On-Campus and Virtual - Some of your coursework will be in-person, on campus and some will be done online.

Periods: 4

Apprenticeship is a method of gaining the expertise needed to become a skilled tradesperson. This is done through a combination of on-the-job experience and classroom training.

Most apprenticeship programs are 3-4 periods in length, with an average of 8 weeks for each training period. In addition, there are specific allotments of on-the-job training hours associated with each period, so most apprentices complete 1 period per calendar year.

Hands-on, industry-relevant training

Classroom and study hours

Students can expect to spend, on average, 30 hours per week in classrooms and labs.

Is this program for you?

Powerline technician work is most rewarding for those who enjoy working outdoors in all weather conditions and developing specialized skills at varied and challenging tasks. To be successful in the trade, powerline technicians need:

  • the ability to lift heavy objects weighing in excess of 25 kilograms
  • good physical coordination and manual dexterity
  • mechanical ability
  • good hearing and colour vision
  • the ability to work at heights and in varying extreme climates
  • the ability to work as a member of a team and adapt to changing tasks and locations

Student experience

The School of Skilled Trades wants our first-year students to become confident in their abilities, get connected to NAIT through groups, peers and staff, be supported personally and academically, get motivated to complete their program and most importantly enjoy the learning environment here at NAIT.

Being an apprentice student is quite different from being a full-time student. Apprentices are in school for short periods of time and some programs are on satellite campuses. Our goal is to improve communication with apprentices on all campuses to ensure you have access to all the services we have to offer at NAIT for you to be successful.

If there is something you are looking for or if you need additional information, please contact us at apprentice@nait.ca.

At NAIT we've been training power electricians

since the mid-1970s

We're here to teach you everything you need to know.

 Enter the workforce with confidence

Powerline technicians are employed by utility companies and their contractors. In some companies, powerline technicians must be union members.

Experienced powerline technicians may advance to foreman and line supervisor positions.

For more information on roles, duties, career paths, salaries and more, visit

Graduate information and opportunities

Red Seal Certification

Apprentices may attempt the Interprovincial Exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program. A Red Seal ensures recognition of your certification throughout Canada without further examination.

Blue Seal Certification 

Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Qualification Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a valid recognized credential are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.

Please note: Post-secondary articulation agreements within Alberta are approved by the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT). To view the details of specific agreements, please visit transferalberta.ca or contact articulations@nait.ca

For questions regarding transfer agreements or to obtain a course description/outline that is no longer available on our website, please contact articulations@nait.ca

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions.

Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

  • Student application support
  • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
  • Program admissions process
  • Enrolment support
  • Student funding options
  • Fee and refund inquiries
  • General program and course withdrawal procedures
  • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

Contact Student Service Centre

Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

  • Program details
  • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
  • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
  • Program and course withdrawal

Student for a Day

At NAIT, we want our prospective students to feel as comfortable as possible, so we are proud to offer Student for a Day. This is your opportunity to spend a day with a NAIT student, to attend classes and laboratory sessions, to ask questions about your chosen program and to experience NAIT first-hand. The availability for Student for a Day varies by program, so please contact us for more details.

Learn more

Periods

Tuition & Fees

The tuition and fee amounts below are estimates based on current academic year’s rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Students who take all of their courses online are exempt from U-Pass, Health & Dental, and Recreation & Athletics fees. All fees are subject to change. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.

View the technical equipment requirements (PDF)

Scholarships & Awards

How to Apply

Complete an apprenticeship application & contract form

Effective November 1, 2014, you must fillout the application located on the MyTradesecrets website for Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board staff to determine if you are eligible for status as an indentured apprentice.

Dates & Deadlines

Once you are an indentured apprentice, you can review the availability and start and end dates of the program you are interested in. Log into your MyTradesecrets profile and do a search under the Class Registration section. Then you can determine the schedule that best fits your needs.

We recommend submitting your program application at least 90 days before the application deadline.

Apply to Program

Apply to the program with step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application process. Please note, processing time may vary for applicants, so we recommend starting early.

Apply nowHow to apply checklist

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions.

Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

  • Student application support
  • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
  • Program admissions process
  • Enrolment support
  • Student funding options
  • Fee and refund inquiries
  • General program and course withdrawal procedures
  • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

Contact Student Service Centre

Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

  • Program details
  • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
  • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
  • Program and course withdrawal



The personal information on this form is being collected under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act and section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). The information will be protected by the provisions of FOIP, and will be used for the purpose of registration and administration of the event. If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use, security or disclosure of the personal information, please contact General Council at 780.471.7664 or legal@nait.ca.

Student for a Day

At NAIT, we want our prospective students to feel as comfortable as possible, so we are proud to offer Student for a Day. This is your opportunity to spend a day with a NAIT student, to attend classes and laboratory sessions, to ask questions about your chosen program and to experience NAIT first-hand. The availability for Student for a Day varies by program, so please contact us for more details.

Learn more

Apply for Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Begin the application process through MyTradesecrets.

Apply Now How to Apply

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