July 10,2024

Celebrating Lineworker Appreciation Day

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Where would we be without electricity?

Flip a switch, the lights are on. Low phone battery, recharge it. It’s an invisible convenience that powers almost every aspect of our daily lives, yet we rarely stop to consider where it comes from or the thousands of tradespeople who work behind the scenes to deliver it.

That’s why the Canadian Electricity Association established National Lineworker Appreciation Day. Held annually on July 10, it’s a day to recognize lineworkers and to thank them for keeping us and our communities safe.

Sometimes called electrical power line or power cable workers or technicians, these highly trained professionals install, maintain and repair the complex network of cables, infrastructures, and power grids across Canada. Not surprisingly, the rapidly increasing need for electricity is creating more jobs in this sector.

According to a recent Canada Job Bank Labour Market report for British Columbia, the 2023-2025 employment outlook for this trade is considered good to very good, with 35 per cent of the jobs in the construction industry, and 62 per cent in utilities. As the largest employer of powerline workers in the province, BC Hydro offers two distinct career pathways, Power Cable and Power Line Technicians.

Power Cable Technicians test, maintain and repair underground, submarine and overland power cables. Power Cable Technicians install, maintain and repair lines damaged by weather and other factors. Those interested in either of these career opportunities must first participate in BC Hydro’s Pre-Apprentice Power Line Technician Program before applying for an apprenticeship.

If you’re already employed as a lineworker and seeking to advance your career or thinking about a change, TradeUpBC is an excellent resource. It’s a hub that provides easy access to short courses and microcredentials to prepare you for the future needs of your profession or support your transition to a new career pathway.

So, plug in and energize your career. You’ll be glad you did.