The Line Worker Training Program prepares participants for employment opportunities as Power Line Technicians with utility companies and related employers. Offered in collaboration with Alabama Power and regional utility companies, this program provides industry-focused instruction and hands-on training designed to develop the technical skills, safety knowledge, and industry experience needed to enter the utility workforce.
Program Overview
The Line Worker Training Program is designed to prepare participants for the physical demands and technical requirements of a career as a Power Line Technician. Through industry-focused instruction and hands-on training, students develop foundational skills in electrical principles, line construction, equipment operation, and safe work practices required in the utility industry.
Training Topics Include:
- OSHA 10 Safety Certification
- Construction and Skills Trades (CAST) Test Preparation
- Basic Pole Climbing
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- Basic Electricity
- Ladder Safety
- Rigging Switches
- Climbing and Working Aloft
- Basic Line Construction and Pole Top Rescue
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Preparation
Program Details:
- Length: 10 weeks, 400 hours
- Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Location: Lawson State Community College – Bessemer Campus
1100 9th Avenue SW, Bessemer, AL
- Cost: $4,150, plus additional costs for required personal protective clothing and equipment, drug screening, permits, licensing, and exam fees. Additional expenses may range from approximately $50 to $350.
- Financial Assistance: Financial assistance and full scholarships are available for qualifying individuals based on income eligibility.
Line-Worker Program Eligibility Requirements and Essential Job Functions:
- Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application
- Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Must be willing to submit to drug screening
- Must be able to climb and work suspended above ground at heights of up to 100–200 feet
- Must meet equipment safety requirements, including a maximum weight limit of 280 pounds due to OSHA equipment restrictions
- Must have the physical ability to lift equipment weighing 50 pounds or more
- Must provide proof of an ACT score of 18 or higher earned within the last three years. Applicants who do not have an ACT score meeting this requirement must complete the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) assessment and achieve a grade equivalent score of 6 or higher in both Math and Reading.
- Must have the ability to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Applicants pursuing CDL credentials must meet applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) medical qualification requirements.
- Must have the ability to earn CPR certification
- Must have the ability to earn OSHA 10 Safety Certification
Application and Selection Process
The application period is open each year from July through September, with interviews and participant selection taking place in October for the January and March training cohorts. Admission to the program is competitive, and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Class sizes are limited and only a select number of applicants will be chosen for each training cohort. Applicants are strongly encouraged to monitor their email after submitting an application and respond promptly to all communications throughout the selection process.
If you have any questions about the Line Worker Training Program, please contact Delwin Hill at Delwin.Hill@lawsonstate.edu
