There are several lineman schools in Virginia. The presence of lineman schools in their numbers in Virginia can make it hard for anyone to choose an institution to study.
If you are struggling to decide which lineman school in this state will suit your professional goals, it is good to let you know that you are reading the right piece.
This article discusses the best lineman schools in Virginia and contains valuable information about lineman education and the lineman profession in Virginia.
What is the Average Salary of a Lineman in Virginia?
The average salary of a lineman in Virginia is about $90,000.
However, the salary of linemen in this state differs based on factors such as academic experience, career experience, professional certifications, special skills, location of work, and company.
What is the Cost of Attending a Lineman School in Virginia?
The average cost of attending a lineman school in Virginia is about $18,000. While some schools’ fees are as low as $4,000, some institutions charge up to $30,000 to enroll in their lineman program.
This fee covers the cost of learning materials, housing, and other expenses. Most schools allow students to choose between living on campus and staying off campus.
Requirements for Lineman Schools in Virginia
To enroll in a lineman school in Virginia, a student must possess the following:
- High school diploma or its equivalent
- Minimum age of 18 years
- A driving license
- Recommendation letter
- Application fee payment
What is the Duration of Lineman Schools in Virginia?
It takes three to four years to complete a lineman school in Virginia.
At the end of this timespan, students will acquire the skills that will enable them to either work for a lineman company or start up their personal lineman brand.
What are the Best Lineman Schools in Virginia?
If you want to become a seasoned lineman, attending a top-notch lineman school is a must. Here are the best lineman schools in Virginia:
1. New River Community College
New River Community College is one of the best lineman schools in Virginia. This school’s electric distribution engineering technology program can be counted among the best in the United States.
This program grooms students to succeed as linemen or other utility industry professionals.
Students that enroll in this program engage in practical lab coursework that assists them in developing technical skills.
Furthermore, New River Community College has several state-of-the-art equipment labs where students practice their skills before venturing into the profession.
Enrolling in a one-year program New River Community College offers costs about $4,500.
2. Piedmont Virginia Community College
Piedmont Virginia Community College is another addition to this list of the best lineman in Virginia.
The Electronics Technician Career Studies Certificate program is recommended for anyone wanting to become a lineman.
This program copies the syllabus of an associate degree program in Industrial Electronics Technology.
Students learn about essential areas such as electronics, electricity, mathematics, industrial maintenance, etc.
Furthermore, the classes that the Electronics Technician Career Studies Certificate program students at Piedmont Virginia Community College take empower them with skills that will help them secure a lineman job that pays very well.
This school maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, creating a learning environment that allows easy interaction between staff and students.
Enrolling in this Piedmont, Virginia Community College program costs about $5,000.
3. Mountain Empire Community College
Mountain Empire Community College is one of the best lineman schools in Virginia. The power lineman program exposes students to lessons relevant to a lineman career.
This program lasts about three months and comprises three different areas of learning; worksite safety, the fundamental principles of power lineman, and commercial driver’s license classes.
However, in addition to the general requirement that has already been mentioned in this article, anyone that wants to enroll in the power lineman program at Mountain Empire Community College must surpass the 270 lb. weight limit, be in excellent physical shape, and possess a useable driver’s license.
Enrolling in the lineman program that Mountain Empire Community College offers is $9,000.
4. Southside Virginia Community College
Southside Virginia Community College is an academic institution perfect for people wanting to enroll in a lineman program.
This school offers a rich program for lineman students that adequately train them for a career in the electricity industry.
The training focuses on routines that help students learn how to set up, disintegrate, manage, and fix all distribution lines, associated devices, and facilities.
Southside Virginia Community College draws up its curriculum from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) recommendations.
The extensive curriculum focus on the following areas; climbing techniques, aerial framing, rigging, electrical principles, operating utility service equipment, and others.
Students engage in both classroom and practice training for about 11 weeks.
In addition to the knowledge areas above, they also earn the following credentials; commercial driver’s license, OSHA 10, CPR/First Aid, VDOT Traffic Controller, and others.
The cost of enrolling in the power lineman program that Southside Virginia Community College offers is about $4,200.
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5. Wytheville Community College
Wytheville Community College is a school that deserves the mention that it gets on this list. Their fast-track power line program is one of the best in Virginia.
This program is based on a curriculum from the National Center for Construction Education and Research that focuses on the primary areas of the power line profession.
This program teaches students how to install, uncouple, modify, and fix low-voltage and high-voltage distribution lines. This course also has a component that focuses on safety.
At the program’s end, students will have a good knowledge of the following areas; aerial framing, rigging, truck driving, and operating utility service equipment.
They also acquire the following certifications; NCCER Core, OSHA 10, Basic Work Zone Traffic Control, NCCER Power Line Worker, Class Commercial Driver’s License, and CPR/First Aid.
The cost of enrolling in this 13-week-long program is about $5,000.
6. Northern Virginia Community College
Northern Virginia Community College is one of the best lineman schools in Virginia. This institution’s electrical technology program is perfect for anyone wanting to become a lineman.
This program is run by instructors with many years of teaching and practice experience.
The curriculum of Northern Virginia Community College’s electrical technology program focuses on several areas, such as basic electricity, electric motor control, electrical machines, fiber optic technology, and programmable logic controller systems.
Other areas include data cabling communication, basic A.C. and D.C. Circuit principles, and power distribution systems.
7. Virginia Western Community College
Virginia Western Community College is a first-class destination for enrolling in a lineman program in Virginia.
Their electrical wiring program is an excellent option for anyone that wants to venture into a lineman career.
It trains students to work as any of the following; lineman, electrician, plant electrician, and other professionals in the electrical field.
The program’s curriculum is designed to empower students with the fundamental skills they need to take up any job in the electrical industry.
Additionally, Virginia Western Community College has several top-notch learning facilities and recent simulation devices and testing appliances which assist students in practicing their skills.
They maintain a student-to-faculty ratio 23:1, making room for close interaction between faculty and students.
8. Blue Ridge Community
Blue Ridge Community is a fantastic addition to this list. Their electric lineworker program equips anyone who wants to work in the utility industry with the necessary technical skills to thrive.
The traditional academic coursework pattern that Blue Ridge Community adopts in grooming lineworker program students has yielded lots of positive returns over the past years.
This school has several practical labs where students apply and groom their skills before entering the field. This program lasts for up to 21 months.
9. Virginia Technical Institute:
The electrical program at Virginia Technical Institute is highly recommended for anyone who desires to become a lineman.
Their program’s comprehensive nature has proven effective as they have successfully groomed many top-level linemen in the country.
Their academic curriculum covers areas such as introduction to electrical trade, electrical safety, introduction to electrical circuits, electrical theory, introduction to the National Electrical Code, device boxes, hand bending, and raceways and fittings.
Students also learn about conductors and cables, basic electrical construction drawings, residential electrical services, load calculations, transformers, commercial electrical systems, health care facilities, standby and emergency systems, alternating current, and more.
It is a top-class school for acquiring the knowledge needed for a lineman career.
Things to Note About a Lineman Job
Here are 4 things that you must know about a lineman job:
1. It requires mental and physical strength:
Possessing outstanding mental and physical strength is vital for effectively delivering your duty as a lineman.
This is very important because the tedious and strenuous nature of the lineman job makes it a job that is recommended for those who have great mental and physical stamina.
This job involves working for a long time at both day and night hours and at challenging locations under, in some cases, harsh weather conditions.
Any mistake that arises from fatigue in this field is always deadly.
2. It is not a job meant for those who fear heights:
If you don’t like heights, then a lineman job is not just for you.
This job involves lots of climbing and, in some cases, as high as 100 feet, so it is not for anyone comfortable working at such an elevation.
If you love aerial views, this career is recommended for you as you would enjoy that every day.
3. It is a dangerous job:
Lineman is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. It is understood that thousands of linemen die in the United States while at work.
This job involves working at many feet above sea level to set up and fix electrical lines.
However, the risk that comes with this job is minimized when safety precautions are taken.
4. It requires a willingness to do the job:
No one can succeed in this job except they put in their very best.
So, ensure that you give your all to do the right and perform the duties expected of you effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Lineman Schools in Virginia
Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Utah are the U.S. states to find the best-paying linemen jobs.
Medicine is, without doubt, the best-paying field in the world. Other fields that pay well are data science, full-stack software development, product management, investment banking, and machine learning.
The jobs that pay minor salaries worldwide are shampooers, fast food cooks, ushers, ticket takers, restaurant hosts, hostesses, cashiers, and lobby attendants.
The degrees that will matter the most in the future are business, computer science, psychology, public relations, and marketing.
Conclusion
Becoming a lineman in Virginia is not as challenging as it seems.
But to venture into this career, one must have a high school diploma, hold a lineman degree, and complete an apprenticeship.
Awesome one; I hope this article answers your question.
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