Career Overview
Electrical power line and cable workers construct, maintain and repair overhead and underground electrical power systems.
Job Titles
Duties
Electrical power line and cable workers:
- Install and maintain electrical distribution and transmission systems, including overhead and underground power lines and cables, insulators, conductors, lightning arrestors, switches and transformers
- Inspect, test and repair power lines and cables
- Erect and maintain poles, towers and guy wires
- Install and maintain street lighting systems
- Install electrical protection systems to prevent harm to workers and equipment
- Work in specialized crews to do complex maintenance and repairs on live (energized) utility systems
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
1,215% Employed Full Time
74%Electrical power line and cable workers work for electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies, electrical contractors and public utility commissions.
They work outdoors, where they are exposed to the weather. Most work a standard workweek with occasional overtime. Some work shifts. They may also be called in after hours to deal with emergencies.
The work is physically demanding and can pose dangers. Workers must climb ladders and operate hydraulic buckets to maintain poles and towers. They risk electrical shock when working on utility infrastructure, high-tension wires, transformers and other equipment. They can be injured when using machinery and tools. They may also work in confined spaces, such as trenches and tunnels to install underground power lines and cables.
Career Pathways
With experience, electrical power line and cable workers can become supervisors.
Highly experienced power line technicians can also train in specialized procedures, such as working “barehand” with live wires and using helicopters to inspect lines.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Certification is not currently required to work as an electrical power line and cable worker in B.C. The B.C. government is introducing skilled trades certification beginning with a total of 10 trades, including powerline technicians. Certification will be implemented in phases between 2022 and 2024. Learn more about skilled trades certification.
Currently, workers without certification need at least four years of related work experience plus coursework in electrical technology. They also usually need to have completed secondary school. Workers who wish to be certified must complete a four-year apprenticeship program.
Apprenticeship programs
Work experience and in-class instruction are part of apprenticeship programs. Some part-time and online programs may be available. To apprentice, workers must be sponsored by an employer. A person who successfully completes an apprenticeship program and the final certification exam earns a Certificate of Qualification. Workers with significant experience in the trade, including at least 500 hours of “live line” work, may be able to challenge the certification exam in order to earn the Certificate of Qualification without completing a formal apprenticeship. For more information on earning a Certificate of Qualification, visit SkilledTradesBC.
To work in other provinces
Powerline technicians may need Red Seal certification to work in other provinces. This can be earned by passing an exam and proving significant work experience.
Workers coming to B.C.
Powerline technicians who are certified by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references or a criminal record check.
Workers who trained outside of Canada
Powerline technicians who trained outside of Canada and have never received certification from a Canadian jurisdiction will likely need a full assessment. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants. Contact SkilledTradesBC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.
For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.
View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Power Engineering

Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
1,215Employment by Region
Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
---|---|---|
Cariboo | 75 | 6.2% |
Kootenay | 135 | 11.2% |
Mainland/Southwest | 455 | 37.6% |
North Coast and Nechako | 25 | 2.1% |
Northeast | 35 | 2.9% |
Thompson-Okanagan | 260 | 21.5% |
Vancouver Island/Coast | 230 | 19.0% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
490Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
---|---|---|
Cariboo | 20 | 0.7% |
Kootenay | 70 | 0.1% |
Mainland/Southwest | 170 | 1.7% |
North Coast and Nechako | 10 | 1.5% |
Northeast | 20 | 3.7% |
Thompson-Okanagan | 150 | 1.0% |
Vancouver Island/Coast | 60 | -0.4% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
---|---|
Utilities | 340 |
Construction | 150 |
Manufacturing | 10 |
Insights from Industry
The demand for electrical power keeps rising as society adopts new technologies. And, with an expected wave of workers approaching retirement, this trade is in high demand.
Although certification is not currently required in B.C., workers with certification will likely have more job opportunities. The B.C. government is introducing mandatory skilled trades certification beginning with 10 trades, including powerline technicians. Certification will be carried out in phases between 2022 and 2024.
Resources
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Careers in Construction – Lineworkerwww.careersinconstruction.ca/en/career/lineworker
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Careers in Energycareersinenergy.ca
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Electrical Contractors Association of BC (ECABC)www.eca.bc.ca
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Red Seal Programwww.red-seal.ca/eng/welcome.shtml
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Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP)www.stepbc.ca
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SkilledTradesBCskilledtradesbc.ca/
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Trades Training BCwww.tradestrainingbc.ca
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University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) – Power Line Technician Programwww.ufv.ca/programs/powerline-technician
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Women of Powerline Technicianswomenofplt.com
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WorkBC Trades Trainingnumber41media1.gathercontent.com/item/12593104