Advanced Lineworker Program

NEPPA is pleased to offer a completely redesigned Advanced Lineworker Program which is held 3-days/week for 4 weeks/year.

Advanced Lineworker is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills and resources necessary to build, maintain, troubleshoot and repair a distribution system.

In addition to in-class lecture, the Advanced Lineworker Program incorporates hands-on application of concepts, facility tours, and weekly testing including a final exam to demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the course content.

Upon successful completion of the Program, students are awarded a Certificate of Completion.

SESSION DATES & HOURS

This 12-day program is held Tuesday – Thursday from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm each day.

Session Dates are subject to change however advance notice will be provided , as needed

Session I: September 5 – 7, 2023

Session II: September 26 -28, 2023

Session III: October 17 – 19, 2023

Session IV: November 7 – 9, 2023

SESSION DATES & HOURS

This 12-day program is held Tuesday – Thursday from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm each day.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This course is designed for individuals with 5+ years of experience as a lineworker, lineworkers with increased crew or leadership responsibilities, or cross departmental employees with new or increased leadership of lineworker personnel.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this four-week program, participants will be able to successfully:

  1. Demonstrate a holistic understanding of Transmission & Distribution and overall operations including:

a. NESC
b. Overhead Distribution
c. Underground Distribution
d. Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) & Energy Storage

  1. Apply concepts to build, maintain, troubleshoot and repair a distribution system.
  2. Demonstrated ability to correctly diagnose and repair a fault.
  3. Explain the how and why of a distribution system’s design.
  4. Apply leadership and crew leadership best practices.

PREREQUISITES

Participants are expected to have completed NEPPA’s Apprentice Lineworker Program (or another apprenticeship program). Participants are also expected to complete the Basic Electricity & Mathematics for Utility Operations course (held on Day 1 of the Program).

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS *

In addition to the student binder with module printouts and a program t-shirt, participants are provided the following supplemental materials:

  1. Calculator
  2. Distribution Transformer Handbook
  3. Lineman’s Pocket Reference
  4. UGLY’s Electrical Reference
  5. APPA Safety Manual

* Materials are provided in the Apprentice Lineworker Program and will only be distributed if a student has not already received them through other NEPPA programs.

AGENDA

Agenda details are subject to change.

Click here to download the agenda

Session 1

Day 1
Basic Electricity & Mathematics for Utility Operations (BEM)

8:00 am           Welcome & Introductions
8:15 am           BEM Module 1: Basic Electricity
9:45 am           Break
10:00 am         BEM Module 2: Basic Mathematics
10:45 am         BEM Module 3: Electric Power & Energy
11:30 am         Lunch
12:00 pm         BEM Module 4: Electrical Safety
1:30 pm           BEM Module 5: Power System
                          Overview
1:45 pm           Break
2:00 pm           Test (20 Questions)
3:00 pm           Adjourn **

** Day 1 goes until 3:00 pm

Day 2

Beginning of Advanced Lineworker Program

8:00 am           Module 1: Power Transformers
9:45 am           Break
10:00 am         Module 1: Power Transformers (cont.)
11:30 am         Lunch
12:00 pm         Module 2: Voltage Regulators
2:00 pm           Adjourn

Day 3

8:00 am Hands-On Exercises & Testing
9:45 am Break
10:00 am Hands-On Exercises & Testing
11:30 am Lunch
12:00 pm Review; Week 1 Test (20 Questions)
2:00 pm Adjourn

Session 2

Day 1

8:00 am           Welcome, Introductions & Recap Week 1
9:00 am           Module 3: Capacitors & Capacitor Banks
9:45 am           Break
10:00 am         Module 3: Capacitors & Capacitor Banks (cont.)
11:30 am         Lunch
12:00 pm         Module 4: Substation Components
2:00 pm           Adjourn

Day 2

8:00 am           Module 4: Substation Components (cont.)
9:45 am           Break
10:00 am         Hands-On Exercises or Testing
11:30 am         Lunch
12:00 pm         Module 5: Distributed Energy Resources & Energy Storage
2:00 pm           Adjourn

Day 3

8:00 am           Substation & Battery Installation Tour
11:30 am         Lunch
12:00 pm         Review the Week; “Mid-Term” Test (25 Questions)
2:00 pm           Adjourn 

Session 3

Day 1

8:00 am           Welcome, Introductions & Recap Weeks 1 & 2
9:00 am           Module 6: Underground Distribution Review
9:45 am           Break
10:00 am         Module 6: Underground Distribution Review (cont.)
11:30 am         Lunch
12:00 pm         Module 7: System Protection
2:00 pm           Adjourn

Day 2

8:00 am           Module 7: System Protection (cont.)
9:30 am           Break
9:45 am           Group Exercise: Developing a Protection Scheme
11:30 am         Lunch
12:00 pm         Group Exercise (cont.)
2:00 pm           Adjourn

Day 3

8:00 am           Field Visit & Tour
11:30 am         Lunch
12:00 pm         Review the Week; Week 3 Test (20 Questions)
2:00 pm           Adjourn

Session 4

Day 1

8:00 am           Welcome, Introductions & Recap Weeks 1, 2 & 3
9:00 am           Module 8: Troubleshooting & Problem Solving
9:45 am           Break
10:00 am         Module 8: Troubleshooting & Problem Solving (cont.)
11:30 am         Lunch
12:00 pm         Troubleshooting & Problem-Solving Exercises
2:00 pm           Adjourn

Day 2

8:00 am           Troubleshooting & Problem-Solving Exercises
9:45am            Break
10:00 am         Troubleshooting & Problem-Solving Exercises (cont.)
11:30 am         Lunch
12:00 pm         Field Visit & Tour
2:00 pm           Adjourn

Day 3

8:00 am           Final Recap of Weeks 1 – 3
9:45 am           Break
10:00 am         Final Recap of Weeks 1 – 3 (cont.)
11:30 am         Lunch
12:00 pm         Final Exam (50 Questions)
1:30 pm           Certificates of Completion
2:00 pm           Adjourn

TESTING

Weekly Tests (20 Questions); Mid-Term Exam (25 Questions); Final Exam (50 Questions)

ATTENDANCE POLICY

In order to receive a full Certificate of Completion, students are required to attend all 12-days of the Program. Any absences will be noted as a partial completion of the Program.

 

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations are accepted until Tuesday, August 22, 2023. Substitutions may be made at any time prior to the first session.

Cancellation fees will be charged based on the following schedule:

2 weeks prior to the 1st scheduled week of class = 100% refund of tuition

Before completion of the 1st scheduled week of class = 75% refund of tuition

Before the completion of the 2nd scheduled week of class = 50% refund of tuition

After the 2nd scheduled week of class = 0% refund of tuition

REGISTRATION

Registration fees include lunch and breaks each day, student manuals, and the supplemental materials listed above.
                     Registration Fees:

                      NEPPA Members: $2,680

 Non-Members: $3,980

Registration is not available at this time. Please contact training@neppa.org for more information on the next program offering.

INSTRUCTORS

Stephen "Steve" Socoby

Stephen "Steve" Socoby

CUSP, Techical & Safety Trainer, Authorized OSHA Outreach Instructor (Construction)

Steve has 36 years of hands on experience in all facets of operations, of public power utilities including: Line Superintendent; supervision of crews, maintenance, new construction, reliability and associated plant & sub-station responsibilities. He is a recognized expert in safety and OSHA compliance.

In his role of Director of Training, he is responsible for development and quality of safety & technical programs. He also oversees the line-workers’ school and teaches utility management and supervision, electronic controls and power-line operation programs.

Recognized as an industry leader and expert Steve has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Northeast Public Power Association and been recognized by the Maine State Legislature for his previous 30 Years of Distinguished Service. Steve attended the University of Maine at Orono.

In 2020 prior to his retirement as a full-time employee, Steve was honored for his long-standing commitment to NEPPA and the industry by being awarded the organization’s Person of the Year Award.

Anthony Calascibetta, CUSP

Anthony Calascibetta, CUSP

Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer (General & Construction), First Aid /CPR/AED Certified

Anthony joined NEPPA as part of the training team in May 2022.  Anthony has 40 years of Electrical experience and 25 years of Electric Utility experience. Anthony started out as a Lineworker and progressed to the Substation Division as a Lead Substation Technician. He is proficient in relay testing, transformer testing, circuit breaker testing, and all aspects of wiring in overhead, underground, metering, and substations.  Anthony is an OSHA Authorized General Industry Trainer and OSHA Authorized Construction Trainer.  It’s an honor to be part of the NEPPA training team, and Safety Training is one of the most important assets of the Electric Utility. Remember, Safety Starts with You!

QUESTIONS?

Please contact training@neppa.org or call the office at (978) 540-2200.

LODGING

Lodging is not included in your registration fees and must be arranged directly with the hotel. If you need overnight accommodations, please contact any of the following hotels directly and be sure to mention you’re with NEPPA (or the appropriate code/account number) to receive the negotiated rate:

Courtyard by Marriott Littleton
January 1 – April 30, 2023 – $142/night + tax
May 1 – October 31, 2023 – $169/night + tax
November 1 – December 31, 2023 – $142/night + tax
Rate code:  BZL
102 Constitution Avenue
Littleton, MA 01460
(978) 540-5040 

 

The Boxboro Regency Hotel & Conference Center – $99/night + tax
242 Adams Place
Boxborough, MA 01719
(978) 263-8701

 

The Westford Regency Hotel & Conference Center
January 1 – March 31, 2023 – $105/night + tax
April 1 – October 31, 2023 – $125/night + tax
November 1 – December 31, 2023 – $105/night + tax
219 Littleton Road
Westford, MA 01886
(978) 692-8200

 

SpringHill Suites Devens Common Center – $149/night + tax
27 Andrews Parkway
Devens, MA 01434
(978) 772-3030

 

Hilton Garden Inn Devens – $149/night + tax
59 Andrews Parkway
Devens, MA 01434
(978) 772-0600

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