Allan Billett Memorial Lineworker Scholarship

Do you want an exciting and rewarding career? Would you like a great salary and benefits? Then electrical linework may be for you.

Nearly every American depends on electricity to function in today’s society. To get that electricity to our homes and offices, power lines have been built and maintained by the highly trained and hard-working lineworkers. Lineworkers are the backbone of the electric utility industry.

What does an electrical lineworker do?

An electrical lineworker performs many different tasks in a variety of situations and areas. A lineworker may be climbing poles or operating aerial lift devices to work on overhead lines 25 to 200 feet above the ground, while the very next day they may be a hundred miles away erecting a substation, or digging trenches to string underground electric cable.

Lineworkers work outside in all kinds of weather, and sometimes risk their lives to keep our communities running. Occasionally, severe weather or accidents can knock out power to a community, and linemen may be needed at any hour to restore the power.

Linework has had a reputation of being hazardous, but improved training, equipment and material have made the job very safe. Lineworkers who develop strong safety habits limit their exposure to accidents even more.

What career opportunities exist for electric lineworkers?

Electric lines and facilities are being maintained, replaced and expanded at an ever-increasing rate. These factors have lead to the strong need for highly trained, qualified workers. Many experienced linemen are reaching retirement age, creating a need for new apprentices who can look forward to a challenging and rewarding career with excellent advancement opportunities.

Duties and responsibilities of a lineworker:

• Installs, maintains and repairs electrical distribution and transmission systems, including assembling and erecting substations, placing poles and towers, stringing wire and cable, installing insulators, transformers and other equipment, as well as maintaining all of these facilities and equipment.
• Inspects and tests overhead and underground power lines and cables using specialized electrical testing equipment, and can troubleshoot these systems.
• Climbs poles or operates aerial lifts when working aloft on poles and towers.
• Splices, repairs conductors and wiring.
• Learns and applies safe practices and procedures, and understands and follows all safety requirements and regulations.
• Communicates effectively with other workers to coordinate work assignments; this includes effectively communicating technical information effectively.
• May work in confined spaces such as trenches and tunnels to install and maintain power lines and cables.
• Must be able to work as part of a team.

This scholarship program is intended to send individuals to an accredited lineworker training program to learn the basics of linework and to become an apprentice lineworker with a career in the State of Washington. An apprentice lineworker must have 7000 hours (3 years) of actual supervised work experience and pass a series of exams during

the apprenticeship before becoming a journeyman lineworker. Some hours from training programs may be credited to an individual’s apprenticeship.

Linework is a challenging and rewarding career. It is always interesting and often physically demanding. If this sounds like the career for you, fill out the attached application and submit it along with your resume and transcript of grades to Tanner Electric Cooperative.

How much is the scholarship?

One scholarship for $4000.00 will be awarded to an applicant who plans to attend an approved regional lineworker training program.

Who is eligible to receive the scholarship?

To be qualified for the scholarship you must be at least 17 years of age, reside in the upper Snoqualmie Valley or Anderson Island, possess a valid driver’s license, be a U.S citizen, and maintain a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) while you are enrolled in a lineworker training program. Applicants must enroll in the next available session or semester in an approved regional lineworker program.

How is the recipient selected?

Applicants must submit an application form, a transcript of grades and a resume detailing education, employment experience, and references. A Tanner Electric Cooperative selection committee will make the final decision.

What are the recipient’s obligations?

The $4000.00 scholarship will be paid in full prior to the start of the program. Proof of enrollment and GPA must be sent to Tanner Electric Cooperative after the end of each semester. In the event the student fails to complete the program, or fails to maintain a 2.5

GPA repayment to Tanner Electric Cooperative for the scholarship will be required.

Accepting this scholarship carries with it a contractual obligation. You must sign a contract agreeing that upon completion of the lineworker program you will apply for any apprentice lineworker position that is open at Tanner Electric Cooperative giving Tanner Electric Cooperative first consideration. Filing an application will not guarantee employment. Length of employment shall be for a period of at least three years. If you choose not to fulfill the commitment, you are obligated to reimburse Tanner Electric Cooperative for the amount of the scholarship. If no positions are available with a Tanner Electric Cooperative, the recipient is free to choose employment with another utility.

How can I apply?

Read the enclosed information and submit the attached application together with your resume and transcript of grades to Lisa Peabody at Tanner Electric Cooperative, P.O Box 1426, North Bend, Washington, 98045. Applications must be received by April 1st each year.