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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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72203.00 – Electrical power line and cable workers

Electrical power line and cable workers construct, maintain and repair overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Apprentice lineman/woman - electric power systems
  • Cable installer - electrical power
  • Cable splicer - electrical power
  • Construction lineman/woman - electrical power line
  • Power line patroller
  • Power lineman/woman
  • Powerline technician

Core competencies

  • Repairing and Troubleshooting to troubleshoot and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems including overhead and underground power lines and cables, insulators, transformers and other associated equipment
  • Preventative Maintenance to maintain street lighting systems by testing conductors, cables and bulbs to replace components before they fail
  • Static Strength to perform duties safely and effectively, which often require lifting, carrying and manipulating heavy equipment and materials
  • Gross Body Equilibrium to maintain balance and stability in order to safely navigate structures, climb poles, bucket lifts or manoeuvre equipment
  • Attention to Detail to ensure the proper installation, maintenance and repair of power transmission and distribution systems, where precision is critical to the reliability and safety of electrical infrastructure
  • Knowledge in Electrical and Electronics to understand how to install, maintain and repair systems that carry dangerous amounts of electrical energy

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems including overhead and underground power lines and cables, insulators, conductors, lightning arrestors, switches, transformers and other associated equipment
  • Erect and maintain steel, wood or concrete poles, towers and guy wires
  • Splice, solder and insulate conductors and related wiring to connect power distribution and transmission networks using splicing tools, related electrical equipment and tools
  • Inspect and test overhead and underground power lines and cables and auxiliary equipment using electrical test equipment
  • Climb ladders or operate hydraulic buckets when working aloft on poles and towers, or work in confined spaces such as trenches and tunnels to install power lines and cables and associated equipment
  • Install and maintain street lighting systems
  • Communicate with other workers to coordinate the preparation and completion of work assignments.

Additional information

  • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Power system electricians (72202)
  • Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers (72204)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

72 – Technical trades and transportation officers and controllers

Sub-major group

722 – Technical electrical trades

Minor group

7220 – Technical electrical trades and electrical power line and telecommunications workers

Unit group

72203 – Electrical power line and cable workers

Occupational profile

72203.00 – Electrical power line and cable workers

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.