Linemen are the people who repair, install and maintain communications and electrical transmission lines. Linemen also maintain and repair electrical facilities along with their transmission systems. However, they are also responsible for taking care of all sorts of communications transmission systems, such as telephone, cable, telegraph and fiber optics. The job is known to be dangerous at times. To become a lineman, you must have a higher level of education than other trades.

Graduation from High School

This is a basic requirement of anyone wishing to enter the profession in most industrialized countries. Entering into any trade school or technical institute usually requires the presentation of high school transcripts. While high school graduation is required, you do not need to have excellent marks.

Completion of Vocational Training

To get certified as a journeyman lineman and find work, a high school graduate has to complete at least two years of technical training in most places. In some regions of the United States or in other countries, the training can require as many as four years to complete. Numerous technical and vocational institutions as well as specialized training committees offer outdoor and indoor lineman training, which often includes education in the details of electrical theory, line construction, transformer theory and electrical safety.

Field Apprenticeship

During a student's technical training period, all institutes will require a rotating schedule of classroom training followed by apprenticeship in the field. Apprentice linemen often will be paired with journeymen to learn the details of line installation, repair and maintenance. Most apprenticeships consist of groundman work, helping experienced linemen while they work above ground.

Safety Training and Completion

Many technical Institutes that offer lineman training also require completion of workplace safety and basic first aid courses. These requirements might include a 10-hour Occupational Health and Safety Administration course and a CPR/first aid course. Once apprentice students have successfully completed the two to four years of field and theoretical training, they are usually certified as a journeyman linemen.