A lineman is a skilled worker who is trained to install and maintain outdoor wires and cables, as well as the equipment that goes with them. Lineman jobs are most commonly associated with power lines, but they also include installing other types of pole-connected wires such as cable television, fiber optics, and telephone lines. Journeyman and apprentice positions are available in each of these lineman positions. Only those working in the field or outside are referred to as “linemen.” When the same or similar work is performed inside, they are often referred to as electricians.
Linemen are primarily employed power companies. Electricity is widely recognized as a necessity for modern life, and those who install and maintain the poles and wiring are critical. Although it is not a male-only position, the term “lineman” has stuck and is still used in most job postings and descriptions. The position does not necessitate a college diploma, but it does necessitate someone who is adaptable, agile, and thorough in their work. In most areas, electrical lineman jobs are in high demand.
Lineman work necessitates extensive training and on-the-job experience. Apprentice lineman jobs are frequently used as a stepping stone to a higher-paying lineman position. An apprentice or journeyman learns the trade while working under the supervision of an experienced lineman. In order to develop the skills necessary to become a lineman, he or she begins as a helper under the direct supervision of a skilled person.
As the need and demand for these services spread around the world, lineman jobs are also available with telephone, cable, and optic companies. Many of the job skills required are similar to those of a power lineman. The installation and maintenance of the equipment on the pole is the primary responsibility of these types of lineman jobs. The equipment used linemen will differ depending on the type of company they work for. A telephone lineman, for example, will not handle electrical power lines, but because they are frequently installed on the same poles as telephone lines, safety standards apply to all linemen.
Many journeyman lineman jobs, as well as full lineman positions, are required to maintain power, cable, and telephone lines. Because a storm or bad weather can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time, weather is a common factor that causes the need for linemen. Because the services that linemen provide are always in demand, linemen jobs generally provide a good deal of job security.