Allan Billett Memorial Lineworker Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Tanner Electric Cooperative

Interested in a challenging, well-paid trade with strong benefits? Consider becoming an electrical lineworker.

Overview
Electricity powers nearly every aspect of modern life, and trained lineworkers make sure that power gets to homes, businesses and critical facilities. Lineworkers perform vital, hands-on work for the electric utility sector and enjoy careers that are both demanding and rewarding.

What lineworkers do
Lineworkers carry out a wide range of tasks in many settings. Duties can include climbing utility poles or working from aerial lifts on lines 25 to 200 feet above ground, constructing substations many miles away, or digging trenches to lay underground cable. They work outdoors in all kinds of weather and may be called at any hour—especially after storms or accidents—to restore service. Although historically considered hazardous, advances in training, equipment and materials have greatly improved safety; workers who adopt rigorous safety habits further reduce their risk.

Career outlook
Ongoing maintenance, upgrades and expansion of electrical systems—combined with a wave of retirements among experienced lineworkers—have increased demand for trained apprentices. Those entering the trade can expect solid opportunities for long-term employment and career advancement.

Typical duties and responsibilities
- Install, maintain and repair distribution and transmission systems: assemble substations, set poles and towers, string wire and cable, and install/maintain insulators, transformers and associated equipment.
- Inspect and test overhead and underground lines and cables using specialized test equipment and troubleshoot system problems.
- Climb poles or operate aerial lifts to work aloft on poles and towers.
- Splice and repair conductors and wiring.
- Learn and apply safe work practices and comply with applicable safety regulations.
- Communicate technical information clearly to coworkers to coordinate assignments.
- Work in confined spaces such as trenches or tunnels when required.
- Operate effectively as a member of a crew.

Training and apprenticeship
This scholarship is intended to support candidates attending an accredited lineworker training program in Washington State, with the goal of entering an apprenticeship. To reach journeyman status, an apprentice must complete 7,000 hours (approximately three years) of supervised on-the-job experience and pass required exams during the apprenticeship. Some classroom or training program hours may be credited toward apprenticeship requirements.

Scholarship details
- Award: One scholarship of $4,000 to a student who will attend an approved regional lineworker training program.
- Payment: The scholarship will be paid in full prior to the program start date.
- Academic requirement: Scholarship recipients must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA while enrolled in the training program.
- Enrollment requirement: Applicants must register for the next available session or semester in an approved program.

Eligibility
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be at least 17 years old.
- Live in the upper Snoqualmie Valley or on Anderson Island.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Hold a valid driver’s license.
- Maintain a 2.5 GPA while enrolled in the lineworker training program.
- Enroll in the next available session of an approved regional lineworker program.

Selection process
Submit a completed application form, an official transcript, and a resume outlining education, work history and references. A Tanner Electric Cooperative selection committee will review applications and make the final award decision.

Recipient obligations and repayment conditions
- Recipients must provide proof of enrollment and submit GPA verification to Tanner Electric Cooperative after each semester.
- If a recipient fails to complete the program or fails to maintain the 2.5 GPA, they will be required to repay the scholarship to Tanner Electric Cooperative.
- Scholarship acceptance requires signing a contract stating that, upon completing the lineworker program, the recipient will apply for any open apprentice lineworker positions at Tanner Electric Cooperative, giving Tanner Electric Cooperative first consideration. Filing an application does not guarantee a job.
- If hired through Tanner Electric Cooperative, the recipient agrees to work for at least three years. If the recipient chooses not to honor the commitment, they must reimburse Tanner Electric Cooperative for the scholarship amount.
- If no apprentice positions are available at Tanner Electric Cooperative when the recipient completes training, they are free to seek employment with another utility.

How to apply
Read the enclosed information and send the completed application, resume and official transcript to:
Lisa Peabody
Tanner Electric Cooperative
P.O. Box 1426
North Bend, WA 98045

All application materials must be received by April 1 each year.