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penywisexx
01-19-2008, 08:53 PM
I am a wanna be lineman from California. I have applied with the local municipal power agency here as a lineman> I will be undergoing a written test for the position in a few weeks. Does anybody have any advice or know of any books I should read or study before taking the test? Your help is much appreciated!

Thanks!

Scott

PA BEN
01-19-2008, 10:40 PM
I am a wanna be lineman from California. I have applied with the local municipal power agency here as a lineman> I will be undergoing a written test for the position in a few weeks. Does anybody have any advice or know of any books I should read or study before taking the test? Your help is much appreciated!

Thanks!

Scott
How can you apply for a lineman job and you not a lineman? :eek:

IronLine
01-21-2008, 12:27 PM
Before we all start jumping on 'ol boy here, lets ask a question or two, first off buddy, are you applying for a Journeyman Lineman position? Or are you applying for an apprenticeship position? If you are applying for a position that requires a j-card or graduation from a federally approved apprenticeship program you will be SOL partner. 2nd off, most municipalities have their own custom tailored tests. Some of these tests are geared towards people who have had SOME experience in linework, whether it be an apprenticeship, gruntin' on the ground, or graduation from a line school of some type. These exams will have questions relating to linework and safe practices, and good luck if you're new to the industry. The Lineman and Cablemans Guidebook (or something close) is a very user friendly book to read and study from, but once again, good luck. I would advise going out and working for a contractor or join a Union apprenticeship. Other utilities are looking to fill an entry level position, where they will be conducting your training along their own guidelines and practices, and with these tests, its typically your general knowledge type exam, basic/intermediate math and algebra, logic, reading comprehension, tool recognition and usage, spatial relationships. Crap like that :) Normal civil service type stuff. And btw, around here if you say a "Lineman" job, it refers to a journeyman level job, just a little word of advice, to keep these guys from breathin' down your neck ;)

Meat
01-21-2008, 02:50 PM
You said it a lot better than I could have Ironline. I believe he is applying for an apprenticeship.This site has a lot of helpful information itself.Look through the archives and especially the accidents and near misses to see what happens when you make mistakes in this trade.A lot of them happen to quality hands that got distracted for a moment,took a little shortcut,or in some cases unforseen circumstances.You can also Google lineman, transformers,conductors,insulators,electrical theory and the likes to educate yourself before you make a final decision.Your Ibew local website is another helpful tool.Good luck and let us know how it works out,Meat.

Coyote
01-21-2008, 05:52 PM
Don't try to get a linemans job without some experience try for an apprenticeship instead other wise you could get yourself hurt or someone else killed

IronLine
01-21-2008, 07:47 PM
Once again, before we start hollerin' at the guy lets give him a chance to explain what he's actually going for here. This thread is supposed to be about helping guys out, not yellin about the sacrifices we make and chewin' on a fella who doesn't use the same terminology as we do:D

newbie22
01-22-2008, 08:32 AM
If your applying for an apprenticeship which municipality are you applying with?

penywisexx
01-22-2008, 04:45 PM
It is an Apprenticeship that I am applying for. I have experience with high voltage military aircraft electrical systems, 460+ volts, so I do know the dangers of working with high voltages. The job is in Lodi California, it's not listed on the site right now because the application period closed last week. I know that the test may not be standardized, but am looking for something that i can study or do to give me a little edge when I take the test.

Thanks again.

Scott

suddsy
01-23-2008, 10:19 AM
Often times tests for apprenticeship are for aptitiude only. You are going to learn, hopefully, everything you need to know on the job and in class. the tests are often followed by an interview where you will need to verballize your skills and give off a good impression. highlight attributes like ambition, dedication, and most important your safety attitude. Even though we might wonder sometimes there is not a company out there that wants to get written up by the local paper and OSHA for having someone injured or killed. as you have probably noticed from other posts this is a dangerous trade. it is of the utmost importance that you have your head screwed on everyday. And dont put up with someone who doesnt.

compression
01-23-2008, 09:22 PM
Most entrance/aptitude exams I've taken test your Math skills and Reading Comprehension.

Besides knowing your basic Math, bone-up on solving Ratio Problems. There might be some basic Algebra and maybe solving a right triangle. The old exam our local(53) used along with the Narrow-back local(124) too, was an Alegraic Nightmare but I think everyone has gotten away from that by now.

You can expect several Mathematic word problems, easy Math but sometimes in a confusing problem. Test your thinker that way....

Good Luck
ps. I think KCPL has practice exams on their website under careers.
www.kcpl.com

IBEW15wrkr
02-01-2008, 07:33 PM
if is an aptitude test here is a link for what i used to study with.
just follow the instructions to get to the practice test.
might help might not.

http://mlec.dadeschools.net/FPL_CAST.html

microbiota
02-02-2008, 12:43 PM
IPL gives this link to some practice tests for applicants through EEI. The one they say you need to be able to do for lineman apprentice is CAST which is just an all around I remember most of what they taught me in high school kind of test, lots of problem solving, math and reading comprehension. I thought they were kind of fun and challenging but not to hard.:cool:

http://206.53.230.65/onlineresume/SelectionTests.htm
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