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T&D World: Faces of the Future

Spotlight on Apprentice Lineworkers

This new department in T&D World's Electric Utility Operations section will focus on apprentices in the line trade. Please email a photo of yourself working out in the field, competing at the International Lineman's Rodeo or by your work vehicle to amyfischbach@gmail.com. 
1.What is your contact information?
2.Describe how you got interested in a career in the line trade. Do you have any other lineworkers in your family, and if so, who? 
3.What year are you in your apprenticeship, and what are you learning right now?Describe your training center at your company, where it is located and what facilities are available. For example, do you have access to a climbing yard, classrooms, virtual training technology, etc.? 
4.Describe your beginning in the line trade. Did you do a lineman school training program, Boot Camp or pre-apprenticeship before you got into the apprenticeship program? If so, how did it help with your position now? 
5.Describe what a day is like for you right now during your apprenticeship. What crew are you working on, and what types of work does it focus on? Describe how you are trained through on-the-job training and in your training center. 
6.What do you think are some of the challenges of working as an apprentice in today's utility industry?
7.How do you think the training for apprentices like you is different than in years past, and how is it helping to prepare you for the future?
8.If you've had the opportunity to work a storm, what was that like for you? Describe the working conditions, damage done by the storm and what type of work you did to repair it. How did you feel to be part of the storm response team? 
9.How do you feel about being part of the line trade, and what is your favorite part of working as a lineworker? 
10.What do you think it takes to succeed in a line apprenticeship in today's industry? What are some of your qualities that you have that makes you a good fit for the trade?
11.What are some hobbies that you enjoy doing in your free time?
12.What are some tools and technologies that you are learning how to use right now that will help improve your productivity and safety in the field?
13.Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years, and what are you going to do to reach that goal?
14.What is your advice to others looking to work as an apprentice lineworker? What are some of the lessons you learned during your apprenticeship about what to do and not to do?
15.How are you staying safe while working as an apprentice lineworker, and how important is safety in the line trade?

16.What do you see in the future of line work?
17.Do you have any other comments?