| Power Line Clearance & Tree Trimming |  | |
The Work
Tree trimmers work outdoors year-round clearing trees from around power lines.
They work for contractors and utility companies to maintain power lines.
The work is physically demanding. The employment outlook is steady, but
work depends on utility contracts and plans.
Working Conditions
Tree trimmers' work includes tree-climbing, heavy lifting, pulling, dragging
and feeding brush and trees into wood chippers. The work requires working
close to high-voltage power lines and at heights from 35 to 100 feet. The
apprentice could work anywhere in the State of Washington or parts of Idaho,
and apprentices are required to accept job dispatches no matter where the
job is located.
The Apprenticeship
This apprenticeship takes approximately two years, requiring 4,000 hours
of on-the-job training and 144 hours of additional supplemental instruction.
Also, some programs require 30 Saturdays of classroom instruction running
every other week from September through March in Seattle and Spokane.
Apprenticeship Entry Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- Able to read, write and calculate basic math
- Must be physically able to do the job
- Pass commercial driver’s license physical requirements
