
Pre-apprenticeship curriculum
Public Power Pre-Apprenticeship
- Award
- Certificate of completion
- Length
- 5 weeks, self-paced
- Video lessons
- 63
- Access
- Online, lifetime
Plus 20 quizzes, templates, guides, and bonus resources across 5 modules.

Know the trade before you apply
The 5 modules lay out the road from ground hand to journeyman, then get you ready to go after it: CDL prep, a line-trade resume, interview and aptitude test prep, tools, and knots.
5 modules, start to finish

Module 1 of 5
Understanding the Powerline Career Path
Map your path from ground hand to journeyman. Understand the American power grid, transmission and distribution, substations, safety foundations, and what employers expect at each stage.
You’ll learn
- How the American power grid works
- Transmission, distribution, and substations
- The road from ground hand to apprentice to journeyman
- Safety foundations and the energy wheel
- Where line schools and technical colleges fit
You finish with
- Reminder sheet on lineman career progression
- Module 1 quiz
| Lesson | Type | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Overview and Primer | Bonus video | 2:19 |
| 1.2 | Introduction to Module One | Video | 1:29 |
| 1.3 | What does the $200k Lineman Look Like? | Video | 5:02 |
| 1.4 | Understanding the American Power Grid | Video | 8:19 |
| 1.5 | The Powerline Career Path | Video | 5:25 |
| 1.6 | Transmission and Distribution Details You Need to Know | Video | 6:59 |
| 1.7 | Substation Overview for Pre-Apprentices | Video | 6:12 |
| 1.8 | Building a Foundation of Safety & Energy Wheel | Video | 8:12 |
| 1.9 | Considerations for Additional Technical Colleges and Line Schools | Video | 8:31 |
| 1.10 | What You Don't See | Video | 1:59 |
| 1.11 | Module One Free Video Recommendations | Bonus resource | |
| 1.12 | Reminder Sheet on Lineman Career Progression | Guide | |
| 1.13 | Module 1 Quiz | Quiz | |
| Module 1 total: 10 video lessons, 3 other items | |||
A graduate on this module
“I didn't really understand the path on how to become a lineman before this.”
Find the pace that works for you
The program is self-paced, and you keep lifetime access. These are suggested schedules, not deadlines.
One module a week. The pace the program is built around.
- Week 1Understanding the Powerline Career Path10 video lessons, 3 other items
- Week 2Knowing the Prerequisites17 video lessons, 4 other items
- Week 3The Professional Foot in the Trade11 video lessons, 5 other items
- Week 4Getting Work, Union Options and Establishing Benefits14 video lessons, 4 other items
- Week 5Knots, Final Apprenticeship Prep and Final Exam11 video lessons, 4 other items
Inside the lessons
Unedited frames from the program videos.
Where graduates go on to apply












National Public Power is not a guaranteed job placement program. Company names and logos belong to their owners.
Speak the language on day one
Crews notice who knows the terms. Every one of these is taught in a lesson, and Module 5 includes a powerline dictionary to keep.
Ground hand JATC Tailboard The books Pre-trip inspection Air brakes Journeyman Guy line Clove hitch Transmission Distribution Substation IBEW Energy wheel Bowline OSHA ET&D Hawkbill knife Storm chasing Sheetbend Aptitude test Gaff guards Apprentice

Hear it from graduates
Recorded by graduates themselves, in their own words.
Enrique
Graduated from the pre-apprenticeship to get on a high-paying crew
Wilson
Went from clueless on how to get into the trade to on-track in five weeks
William
Finished the pre-apprenticeship while working—after turning down $10k–$20k line schools
Jahziel
Studied from home on his own schedule and feels prepared for what's next
What you leave with
- A pre-apprenticeship certificate. Earned when you complete the program.
- A finished resume. Built from the Module 3 templates.
- Test and interview prep. CDL written practice, aptitude test practice, and a practice interview.
This is preparation for the hire path, not a job placement promise. It does not replace a CDL course or a registered apprenticeship.


Program fee: $399
One payment, or 4 installments of $100. No student loans.








