Electric lineworkers install and repair cables and wires used in electrical power and distribution systems. They erect poles and light- or heavy-duty transmission towers. They locate line trouble, climb poles, use hot line tools, and operate and maintain substations. This program provides theoretical and hands-on training in all phases of power line construction and maintenance. It provides fundamentals of electrical theory, as well as application of electrical equipment with emphasis on safety.
Note
Potential employers will require you to possess a CDL (Commercial Driver License). Southwest Tech offers a CDL Preparation course to better prepare students to take their CDL permit test, but does not offer a CDL Road Test. For information on how to attain your CDL, please access the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website.
- Overview
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Is This Program for You?
If you like working outdoors in all kinds of weather, are an independent problem solver, and enjoy the rewards of a hard day’s work, Electric Power Distribution may be the ideal program for you.
Students entering the Electrical Power Distribution program should:
- Have an interest in math and science.
- Enjoy problem solving.
- Think creatively.
- Enjoy working with their hands.
- Have good hand-eye coordination.
- Are detail-oriented.
- Be able to lift 50+ lbs.
- Be able to handle extreme temperatures, very hot or very cold.
- Be able to use their hands to hold, control, and feel objects.
- Be willing to work irregular hours (Weekend & Overtime).
- Be able to bend, stretch, twist or reach.
Program Basics
- Technical diploma, nine months to complete.
- Day classes.
- High school articulation courses accepted.
- Classes start in August.
- Financial aid available.
- Students must achieve a "C" grade or better in each core (413) course of the program curriculum to be eligible to progress.
- Curriculum & Costs
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Cost of Attendance (COA) 25-26
Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.
Category Amount Tuition and Fees $4,932 Living Expenses (Housing and Food) $10,305 Books and Supplies $1,463 Personal Expenses $3,065 Transportation $4,103 Charger Tech 360 Fee $700 Loan Fees $85 Yearly Total (Living Away from Home) $24,653 1 Semester Total (Living Away from Home) $12,327 Based on Wisconsin Residents.
Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.
Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.
These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.
- Admissions & Requirements
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Admission and Program Requirements
- Submit Application
Most programs admit students as applications are completed. For certain high-enrollment programs with limited space, applications are reviewed in order of residency and review dates. Programs currently in this category include Radiography, Electrical Power Distribution, Midwifery, Cosmetology, and Nail Technician. Learn more about our Admissions and Wait List Policy.Academic Preparedness Requirements
- Log in to your MySWTC account, go to My Profile → Document Center → All Programs to complete the following:
- Send your transcripts and scores to Southwest Tech: While not required, sending your transcripts and test scores helps us make sure your classes are the right fit. We consider any previous college credit you’ve earned, Accuplacer or ACT scores, high school GPA, or an assessment at your registration session. Submit your high school transcripts, college transcripts, and test scores by emailing admissions@swtc.edu, or mailing them to Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
- Career Assessment Plan
Start your Student Success Plan by exploring your career interests, talking through your program choice, and confirming your path feels like the right fit. This step can be completed either by setting up a One-on-One Career Assessment Meeting with a recruiter or as part of your Student Success Plan Meeting with an advisor. Schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor. - Academic Map + Supports & Services Plan
Continue building your Student Success Plan by planning your courses, reviewing funding options, and connecting with resources. To complete this step, schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor.
- Submit Application
- Waiting List
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This program uses a waiting list because of limited capacity and high demand. That means there are often more applicants than available seats. The waiting list helps make admission fair, consistent, and transparent.
What the waiting list means for you
In-District Applicants
What this means: You live within the Southwest Tech district – Southwest Tech maps of the region, our district and campus- Review Dates: Fall – November 1 | Spring – March 1 | Summer – August 1
- Applications received before the review date are held until preparedness requirements are complete.
- On the review date, applications are reviewed in the order they were received. If requirements are complete and there is space, you are accepted.
- If the program is full, you are placed on the wait list based on your application date.
- You may remain on the wait list from term to term until you are admitted, as long as you renew your status.
Out-of-District Wisconsin Applicants
What this means: You live in Wisconsin but not within the Southwest Tech district. If you’re unsure, check our Southwest Tech District Map.- Review Dates: Fall – January 1 | Spring – April 1 | Summer – October 1
- Your application is reviewed after in-district residents.
- If you meet requirements and there is space, you are accepted.
- If the program is full, you are placed on the wait list in order of your application date.
- You may remain on the wait list from term to term until you are admitted, as long as you renew your status.
Out-of-State Applicants
What this means: You live outside of Wisconsin.- Review Dates: Fall – March 1 | Spring – July 1 | Summer – December 1
- Your application is reviewed after in-district and out-of-district Wisconsin residents.
- If you meet requirements and there is space, you are accepted.
- If the program is full, you may be placed on the wait list, but only for the term you applied for.
- Out-of-state applicants cannot carry their wait list status into future terms. If you are not admitted for the term you applied for, you will need to submit a new application.
- Outcomes
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Program Outcomes
At the completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:
- Apply electrical theory
- Construct Overhead Electrical Distribution Systems
- Disassemble Overhead Electrical Distribution Systems
- Construct Underground Electrical Distribution Systems
- Construct Overhead Electrical Transmission System
- Disassemble Overhead Electrical Transmission System
- Maintain Electrical Systems
- Disassemble Underground Electrical Distribution Systems
- Demonstrate safe work practices
Some employers will require CPR and/or First Aid.
- Career Opportunities
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This program prepares a student to advance to an electric line technician apprenticeship and related occupations. Employment has been excellent for graduates in the following types of jobs:
- Electric Utility Lineman
- Cable Maintenance Technicians
- Equipment Operator
- Telephone Repairman
- Cable TV Installer
- Apprentice Line Technician
- Troubleshooter
- Line Inspectors
- Substation Operator
- Cable Splicer
- Underground Cable Installer
Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.
- Transfers
- Prior Learning
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Credit for Prior Learning
Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!
Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.
For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.
At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.
Electrical Power Distribution Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:
Course # Course Title Challenge Exam
(Demonstration)Challenge Exam
(Standard)CLEPCredentialPortfolio10-105-110 Computer Applications 
10-620-156 Fiber Optic Cabling Technician FOA Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT) 31-804-305 Applied Mathematics College Mathematics CLEP Test would also be accepted.