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, 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. 30 – Feb. 2; Apr. 2 – 5; Jul. 30 – Aug. 2; Oct. 1 -4, 2024
Group B:
Feb. 6 – 9; Apr. 9 – 12; Aug. 6 – 9; Oct. 8 – 11, 2024

Year II:
Group A:
Feb. 13 – 16; Apr. 23 – 26; Aug. 13 – 16; Oct. 22 – 25, 2024
Group B:
Feb. 27 – Mar. 1; Apr. 30 – May 3; Aug. 20 – 23; Oct. 29 – Nov. 1, 2024

Year III:
Mar. 12 -15; May 14 – 17; Sept. 10 – 13; Nov. 19 – 22, 2024

         Year IV:
          Mar. 19 – 22; May 21 – 24; Sep. 17 – 20; Dec. 3 – 5, 2024

Apprentice Skills Assessment Rodeo:
June 5 – 6, 2024

Apprentice Lineworker Program Graduation:
Dec. 5, 2024

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 25 – 26 (hands-on) Nov. 5 – 6 (hands-on)
June 27 (exams) Nov. 7 (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 5, 2024

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 6, 2024

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: $3,600 per person, per year

Non-Members: $5,400 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. 

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

Anthony Calascibetta, CUSP

Director of Safety and Training

Anthony has over 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

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.”

Ken Rollins

Ken Rollins

Trainer

Ken has been involved with the utility business for over 47 years, starting in the Danvers Water Dept. in the mid-seventies.  He transfeered to Danvers Electric Light in the mid-eighties going through his apprenticeship to joureyman lineman. 

In 1990 he was hired by Middleton Electric as a First Class Lineman where he moved up through to be crew leader then line foreman and now Facilities Coordinator. 

He has been involved with multiple Mutual Aid Storm related emergencies as a lineman and Supervisor all over New England, Florida and the Virgin Islands. 

He is now looking forward to helping the NEPPA Apprentice program at the NEPPA School and Safety meetings as well.

Mike Pazzanese, CUSP

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

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:

If calling to make your reservation, be sure to mention NEPPA to get the special rate.

 

Courtyard by Marriott Littleton 
January 1 – April 30, 2024 – $142/night + tax
May 1 – October 31, 2024 – $168/night + tax
November 1 – December 31, 2024 – $142/night + tax
102 Constitution Avenue
Littleton, MA 01460
(978) 540-5040
Reservation Link:  https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1677160713279&key=CORP&app=resvlink

 

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

 

The Westford Regency Hotel & Conference Center – $119/night +tax
219 Littleton Road
Westford, MA 01886
(978) 692-8200

 

SpringHill Suites Devens Common Center – 10% Discount on Prevailing rate at time of booking.
27 Andrews Parkway
Devens, MA 01434
(978) 772-3030

 

Hilton Garden Inn Devens – 10% Discount on Prevailing rate at time of booking.
59 Andrews Parkway
Devens, MA 01434
(978) 772-0600

 

 Questions? Please contact training@neppa.org or call (978) 540-2200.

 

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