Learn the essential skills and knowledge to become a Powerline Technician in Ontario.

The two-year Powerline Technician Ontario College Diploma program prepares you with the skills you need to succeed as a powerline technician in Ontario. Begin by learning electrical fundamentals and move on to design, planning, construction and maintenance of overhead and underground power systems.

You will learn:

• how to use AutoCAD to design overhead and underground electrical power systems
• about electrical machinery and metering
• about street lighting and communications systems
• to identify, control and eliminate potential health and safety hazards
• about hoisting, rigging and guying
• how to solve design problems associated with power transmission and distribution lines
• about protection relays and fault protection used in power distribution and transmission

Starting in the second term, you begin spending one day per week at the Hydro Ottawa partner site located on Bank Street in Ottawa. There you practise climbing, rigging and other hands-on skills you can apply throughout your career.

To ensure the safety of all students, you must complete a Working at Heights training session before you begin training at Hydro Ottawa.

Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that places in the co-op work term are subject to availability and academic eligibility. Please note admission to the co-op program does not guarantee a co-op placement.

Graduates of this program may be able to work as a powerline technician with electric power generation, and transmission and distribution companies, or pursue a career with electrical contractors and public utility commissions.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Prefer a hands-on, physical approach to learning.
• Enjoy analyzing and solving problems.
• Work well in a team environment.
• Enjoy the challenge of working outdoors and in all weather conditions.
• Are at ease climbing to and working at heights for power distribution.
• Can work in confined spaces
• Have a strong aptitude for mechanical reasoning

Careers

Graduates may find employment as powerline technicians with electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies, electrical contractors and public utility commissions. A strong foundation in technological principles helps graduates to remain current with the changes in technology and grow into supervisory positions.

For the past few years, Hydro Ottawa has hired exclusively from the Algonquin College Powerline Technician program to fill their positions for Powerline Maintainer Apprentices and Cable Jointer Apprentices.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Communicate information effectively and accurately by analyzing, translating, and producing electrical drawings and other related documents and graphics.
2. 2. Analyze and solve routine technical problems related to electrical technology and power distribution by applying the principles of mathematics and science.
3. Calibrate, use and maintain instrumentation and test equipment.
4. Identify problems with overhead and underground powerline equipment and systems by following established procedures and using a variety of troubleshooting techniques.
5. Design and draw powerlines and underground distribution systems by following established procedures.
6. Practise appropriate safety procedures for self and others and utilize personal protection equipment, including rigging and construction practices.
7. Prepare and maintain records and documentation systems and participate in the planning of work and projects.
8. Perform tasks related to powerline applications in accordance with relevant law, policies, procedures, standards, regulations, and ethical principles.
9. Select and apply electrical cabling requirements and verify system grounding for a variety of powerline applications.
10. Install, maintain and remove power poles, transformers, structures and other utility equipment.
11. Install and troubleshoot static and rotating electrical machines and associated control systems under the supervision of a qualified person.
12. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

POWERLINE TECHNICIAN
Program Code 1511X03FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca  

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants please visit this link for application process information: https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/  

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro

Program Resources

CO-OP INFORMATION

All applicants apply directly to the co-op version of this program through OntarioColleges.ca or our International Application Portal. Applicants not wishing to pursue the co-op version will have the opportunity to opt-out after being admitted to the program but prior to the first co-op work term.

Co-operative education (Co-op) allows students to integrate their classroom learning with a real-world experience through paid work terms. Two academic terms prior to the cooperative education work term, students are required to actively participate in and successfully complete the self-directed co-op course, readiness activities and workshops.

Students must actively conduct a guided, self-directed job search and are responsible for securing approved program-related paid co-op employment. Students compete for co-op positions alongside students from Algonquin College and other Canadian and international colleges and universities. Algonquin College`s Co-op Department provides assistance in developing co-op job opportunities and guides the overall process, but does not guarantee that a student will obtain employment in a co-op work term. Co-op students may be required to relocate to take part in the co-op employment opportunities available in their industry and must cover all associated expenses; e.g., travel, work permits, visa applications, accommodation and all other incurred expenses.

Co-op work terms are typically 14 weeks in duration and are completed during a term when students are not taking courses. For more information on your program`s co-op level(s), visit the courses tab on your program`s webpage.

International students enrolled in a co-op program are required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to have a valid Co-op/Internship Work Permit prior to commencing their work term. Without this document International students are not legally eligible to engage in work in Canada that is part of an academic program. The Co-op/Internship Work Permit does not authorize international students to work outside the requirements of their academic program.

For more information on co-op programs, the co-op work/study schedule, as well as general and program-specific co-op eligibility criteria, please visit www.algonquincollege.com/coop.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Students at Level 01 are required to pay for and attend an extracurricular 8-hour session which enables them to meet the Ontario regulation 297/13 Working at Heights Training Standard. This certification is valid for a three- year period and must be successfully obtained prior to beginning courses at the Hydro Ottawa partner site as part of this program.

As per College Directive AA39 policy 7 students whose academic achievement at Level 01 does not meet the criteria to progress to full-time studies at Level 02 are required to reapply through ontariocolleges.ca for a future academic year.

Beginning at Level 02 of the program students are required to attend training classes one day per week at the Hydro Ottawa partner site. Students are responsible for their own transportation to the site. Students who do not successfully complete the courses delivered at the Hydro Ottawa partner site are unable to progress further in the program.

As part of the Powerline Technician program, there are courses that involve working at heights and in confined spaces. The necessary equipment that a student must wear or use to successfully complete the course (e.g. safety harnesses, ladders and aerial devices) have weight limitations, often to a maximum weight of 300 lbs. This weight limitation includes the weight of the student, their clothing, tools, and equipment. Students who are not able to safely work at heights or in confined spaces due to exceeding maximum weight limitations, will be unable to complete the courses at the Hydro Ottawa partner site.

Participation in a fitness program is highly encouraged for all program students. The Algonquin Fitness Zone has a regimen developed in collaboration with Hydro Ottawa which may be followed at their location or elsewhere. The physical demands of the Line Work training are fairly high but may be readily attained and maintained through this practice.

Students are trained on a Windows-based platform which is the industry standard in the field of engineering. Mac platforms are not acceptable because they are not compatible with the hardware and software used in this program.

Students considering a career in the utilities industries should be aware that a security clearance is required by many organizations as a condition of employment. A valid Class G driver`s license may also be a condition of employment.