Lineworker in a bucket truck working on distribution lines

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.

The United States power grid lit up at night, from the Module 1 lesson on the American power grid

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

Frame from the lesson "Understanding the American Power Grid"

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
Everything in Module 1
LessonLength
1.1Overview and Primer2:19
1.2Introduction to Module One1:29
1.3What does the $200k Lineman Look Like?5:02
1.4Understanding the American Power Grid8:19
1.5The Powerline Career Path5:25
1.6Transmission and Distribution Details You Need to Know6:59
1.7Substation Overview for Pre-Apprentices6:12
1.8Building a Foundation of Safety & Energy Wheel8:12
1.9Considerations for Additional Technical Colleges and Line Schools8:31
1.10What You Don't See1:59
1.11Module One Free Video Recommendations
1.12Reminder Sheet on Lineman Career Progression
1.13Module 1 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.”
MavelleWanted a six-figure job but didn't want to pay for expensive line schools

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.

  1. Week 1Understanding the Powerline Career Path10 video lessons, 3 other items
  2. Week 2Knowing the Prerequisites17 video lessons, 4 other items
  3. Week 3The Professional Foot in the Trade11 video lessons, 5 other items
  4. Week 4Getting Work, Union Options and Establishing Benefits14 video lessons, 4 other items
  5. Week 5Knots, Final Apprenticeship Prep and Final Exam11 video lessons, 4 other items

Inside the lessons

Unedited frames from the program videos.

  • Frame from the lesson "Understanding the American Power Grid"
  • Frame from the lesson "The Bowline Knot"
  • Frame from the lesson "Guy Line Math"
  • Frame from the lesson "Climbing 101"
  • Frame from the lesson "How to Pass the Pre-Trip Inspection"
  • Frame from the lesson "The Secret to the Perfect Entry Level Resume"
  • Frame from the lesson "Understanding the American Power Grid"

Where graduates go on to apply

National Grid
Southern California Edison
FirstEnergy
Xcel Energy
Southern Company
NextEra Energy
Primoris
Team Fishel
Powerline Services
Vistra Energy
Portland General Electric
Valiant Energy Service

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.

Watch all 19 graduate videos
  • 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.

Graduate holding a National Public Power pre-apprenticeship certificate

Program fee: $399

One payment, or 4 installments of $100. No student loans.

Testimonials from our alumni are actual pre-apprentices pursuing live line work after completing the National Public Power Program. We do offer a paid incentive for their feedback after graduating.

The National Public Power Pre-Apprenticeship Program is a Pre-Apprenticeship and prepares students for Registered Apprenticeships. The National Public Power Pre-Apprenticeship Program is not and does not claim to be a registered apprenticeship program through the Department of Labor.

The Registered Apprenticeship system combines supervised on-the-job training with technical classroom instruction in subjects related to the apprentice's chosen occupation. The apprentice has the opportunity to earn a living while gaining skills, and pay raises are awarded throughout the program as skills increase. The intent of this program is to better prepare trainees for registered apprenticeships.