Apprentice Lineworker Program
NEPPA offers a four-year curriculum of the Northwest Lineman College’s Lineworker Certification Program and combines hands-on and formal classroom training. Students attend class four times a year for four days each to complete the four-year program.
In addition to classroom time, students are expected to:
- Self-study by reading the material
- Track, record, and submit monthly apprenticeship reports of on-the-job training
- Track, record and submit quarterly “competency” forms
Each year, students participate in an additional two-day Skills Assessment Rodeo each year. The Apprentice Rodeo is designed to showcase the apprentices’ developing technical and climbing skills, and to reinforce the program’s focus on professionalism, safety, and proper technique.
Course Length:
4 days/week; 4 weeks per year
Class time per day (8:00 am – 2:00 pm)
Course & Agenda*
As with all training and in-person events post-COVID 19, we ask that participants remain flexible throughout the year. Every effort will be made to hold all classes in-person at NEPPA’s Training Center in Littleton, MA, however we remain committed to ensuring participation through a combination of in-person, hybrid and virtual sessions.
Year I:
Group A:
Jan. 31 – Feb. 3; March 21 – 24; Aug. 29 – Sept. 1; Oct. 17 – 20, 2023
Group B:
Jan. 31 – Feb. 3; March 28 – 31; Aug. 29 – Sept. 1; Oct.24 -27, 2023
Year II:
Group A:
Feb. 7 – 10; April 4 – 7; Sept. 12 – 15; Oct. 31 – Nov.3, 2023
Group B:
Feb. 7 – 10; April 18 – 21; Sept. 12 – 15; Nov. 6 – 9, 2023
Year III:
Group A:
Feb. 28 – March 3; April 25 – 28; Sept. 26 – 29; Nov. 14 – 17, 2023
Group B:
Feb. 28 – March 3; May 2 – 5; Sept. 26 – 29; Dec. 5 – 8, 2023
Year IV:
Group A:
March 7 – 10; May 16-19; Oct. 3 -6; Dec. 12 – 15, 2023
Group B:
March 7 – 10; May 16 – 19; Oct. 3 -6; Dec. 12 – 15, 2023
Apprentice Skills Assessment Rodeo:
June 7 – 8, 2023
Apprentice Lineworker Program Graduation:
Dec. 15, 2023
Apprentice Lineworker Program Make-Up Weeks
The following “Make-Up Weeks” are scheduled for any student who needs to make-up time in the Program and/or conduct competencies for the Program.
| June 13 – 14 (hands-on) | Nov. 28 – 29 (hands-on) |
| June 15 (exams) | Nov. 30 (exams) |
Please note: There will be a administration make-up fee of $75 per session, per student.
Attendance Policy
Students are required to attend all 16-days of the in-class program as well as the two-day Skills Assessment Rodeo. Any student unable to attend their regularly scheduled class or the Skills Assessment Rodeo is required to make-up the time, training, and competencies covered during those class days. Please note: There will be a make-up Administration fee of $75 per session, per student. To progress into the next year or to complete the Program, all students must complete the full program requirements.
* In-Person, Virtual & Hybrid Lectures
As noted above, every effort will be made to hold classes in-person at NEPPA’s Training Center in Littleton, MA, we will likely have a combination of in-person, hybrid and virtual sessions.
Please ensure every student has an active email address and access to a computer or personal device in order to fully participate in the program.
Location
All in-person sessions are held at the NEPPA Training Center:
NEPPA Training Center
200 New Estate Road
Littleton, MA 01460
Program is also offered in New York. Please contact NEPPA at (978) 540-2200 for more information.
Apprentice Lineworker Skills Assessment Rodeo Agenda
Day 1 – June 7, 2023
8:00 AM Registration
8:30 AM Opening Ceremony
Raise flag
National Anthem
Recognize Veterans
Moment of silence for those who gave all
9:00 AM Events begin
12:00 PM Lunch
2:00 PM Events end for the day
Day 2 – June 8, 2023
8:00 AM Events begin
12:30 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Awards Ceremony
2:00 PM Rodeo closes
Please note the dates are subject to change.
Topics Covered & Prerequisites
Year One: Introduction to power delivery; safety; working in elevated positions; knots, splices and rope; electrical systems; first aid; applied mathematics; basic electrical theory; transformer basics; and 29 CFR 1910.269 (Parts A, B, C, G, I, K, N)
Prerequisite: It is recommended that students new to the program be pre-qualified, either through their utility or through NEPPA’s Lineworker Pre- Qualification Program.
All Year One Students are required to complete a special enrollment form online with the Northwest Lineman College, including a “Readiness Assesment”.
Year Two: Safety; AC fundamentals; personal protective grounding; live line equipment and methods; rigging; underground conductors; overhead conductors; electrical test equipment; substations; and 29 CFR 1910.269 (Parts H, J, L, M, R)
Prerequisite: Year One, or successful completion of the Year One Prequalification Competencies & Exam
Year Three: Safety; special elements; metering; system power flow; advanced transformers; maps and standards; system protection; National Electric Safety Code One and Two; and 29 CFR 1910.269 (Parts E, F, P, Q, T, U, W)
Prerequisite: Year Two, or successful completion of the Year One and Year Two Prequalification Competencies & Exams
Year Four: Safety; communication systems; special elements; vegetation management; system operation; system automation; overhead line design; underground line design; trouble investigation; and crew leadership.
Prerequisite: Year Three
Registration
Registration includes coffee and lunch each day. Lodging is not included in the registration fee and must be arranged directly with the hotel. See “Lodging” information below.
NEPPA Members: $3,450 per person, per year
Non-Members: $5,170 per person, per year
Pre-Qualification Program Rates:
1 – 3 Individuals:
NEPPA Members: $525
Non-Members: $775
4+ Individuals: Contact NEPPA
For more information on the Pre-Qualification Program, contact NEPPA at (978) 540-2200.
NOTE: New students enrolling in the Northwest Lineman College/NEPPA Program are required to complete a digital enrollment form from the college, digitally signed by both the Apprentice and their Supervisor. Links will be auto-generated and sent from Northwest Lineman College.
Cancellation Policy
All program withdrawals must be sent in writing to NEPPA or emailed to colleend@neppa.org with attention to Colleen Del Signore. Substitutions may be made at any time (prior to the start of the program).
Books must be returned within 35 days of the shipment date, provided that no exams have been taken and they are in like-new condition, so the appropriate refund can be issued. If books are not returned within this time frame, the cost will be deducted from the tuition refund as described below.
Withdrawals/cancellations received based on the schedule below are eligible for the following:
3 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
Questions? please contact the Colleen Del Signore, Education & Training Coordinator at colleend@neppa.org or call (978) 540-2209.
Please see the information below regarding instructors and lodging.
Instruction Team
Anthony Calascibetta, CUSP
Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer - General Construction
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. Started out as a Lineworker, moved to the Substation Division as a Lead Substation Technician. 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!
Dan Flynn
Certified First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor
Dan Flynn has been a safety trainer with Northeast Public Power Association, since September 2018 after retiring from Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Dept with more than a 40-year career in public power.
Dan started in the electric meter department in the 1970’s and worked his way through the electric line department as a lineman/line foremen and his last position as the electric department superintendent. Some of Dan’s responsibilities covered construction, maintenance, and safety of the electric line division. Dan continues to maintain his 1B/2A Mass. hoisting license and a Mass. Class A Driving license.
Dan lives with his wife Alayne of 39 years and they have two adult children and one grandchild.
He says, “It is a privilege to continue to be involved with the public power industry in New England to give back any knowledge I’ve acquired over these many years.”
Mike Pazzanese, CUSP
Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP)
Mike joined NEPPA as part of the training team in April 2021.
Mike is a Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP) with 38 years of experience in all aspects of electric and gas utility operations, as well as contractor management, employee health and safety, and utility technical training, particularly in underground distribution and cable splicing.
Mike holds both the OSHA 30-hour General Industry and 20-hour Leadership Certifications.
As a graduate of Bridgewater State University with a teaching degree, Mike’s background and utility technical training experience strengthens NEPPA’s capacity to provide top-tier training.
Steve Socoby
Certified Utility Safety Professional, Authorized OSHA Outreach Instructor (Construction), First Aid/CPR/AED Certified Instructor
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.
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
102 Constitution Avenue
Littleton, MA 01460
(978) 440-5040 – If calling to make your reservation, be sure to mention either NEPPA or Northeast Power
The Westford Regency Inn & 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
The Boxboro Hotel & Conference Center – $99/night + tax
242 Adams Place
Boxborough, MA 01719
(978) 263-8701
Questions? Please contact training@neppa.org or call (978) 540-2200.