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.
Good
Market Demand
TEER 2
Skill Level
ON, SK, NS
Top Provinces
What They Do
- 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.
Qualifications
- checkCompletion of secondary school is usually required.
- checkCompletion of a provincial three- or four-year lineman/woman apprenticeship program ora combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in electrical technology is usually required for electrical power line and cable workers.
- checkTrade certification for powerline technicians is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- checkTrade certification for powerline technicians (construction) is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- checkTrade certification for distribution construction linemen/women is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick.
- checkRed Seal endorsement is also available to qualified powerline technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Market Outlook by Province
Ontario
The employment outlook will be Good for electrical power line and cable workers (NOC 72203) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.What Types of Employers Are Out There?Electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies Construction, especially electrical contractorsWhat are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?Investments in modernizing the utility grid and ongoing pole replacement activitiesHealthy levels of construction also bode well for these workersWhat Skills Do I Need to Succeed?There is one voluntary skilled trade associated with this occupation in Ontario, namely, Powerline TechnicianTraining or completion of an apprenticeship is usually required.Here are some key facts about electrical power line and cable workers in Ontario: Approximately 5,950 people work in this occupation. Electrical power line and cable workers mainly work in the following sectors: Utilities (NAICS 22): 66%Construction (NAICS 23): 27% 75% of electrical power line and cable workers work all year, while 25% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of electrical power line and cable workers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 9% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 46% compared to 8% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 40% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
Saskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Good for electrical power line and cable workers (NOC 72203) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about electrical power line and cable workers in Saskatchewan: Approximately 850 people work in this occupation. Electrical power line and cable workers mainly work in the following sectors: Utilities (NAICS 22): 65%Construction (NAICS 23): 28% 75% of electrical power line and cable workers work all year, while 25% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of electrical power line and cable workers are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: 12% compared to 33% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 77% compared to 15% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 6% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 18% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Good
Outlook
Nova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for electrical power line and cable workers (NOC 72203) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Electrical power line and cable workers is one of the trades that is expected to experience a worsening shortage of workers over the next several years, as retirements outnumber the number of new entrants.Nova Scotia Power is the major employer of workers in this occupation and requires applicants to have an Inter-Provincial Red Seal Powerline Technician Certificate. The utility also has a 3.5-year Power Line Technician Apprenticeship program.Here are some key facts about electrical power line and cable workers in Nova Scotia: Approximately 350 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Electrical power line and cable workers mainly work in the following sectors: Utilities (NAICS 22): 61%Construction (NAICS 23): 36% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 94% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 6% compared to 18% for all occupations63% of electrical power line and cable workers work all year, while 37% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of electrical power line and cable workers are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: 7% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 51% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 37% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Moderate
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 2 occupations require college education or apprenticeship training and qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Express Entry (FSW)
Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Programs
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Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 72203 openings right now.
Arup
2 active roles
Valard Construction
2 active roles · Timmins, ON
ATCO
1 active role · Grande Prairie, AB
Hydro Ottawa
1 active role · Ottawa, ON
AltaLink
1 active role
Intersect
1 active role
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Search Electrical power line and cable workersarrow_forwardCore 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 maneuver 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
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