Technical Training Programs
AMP training programs are resources designed specifically for Member municipal electric systems seeking high-quality training designed to help improve employee performance, enhance safety and ultimately lead to greater system reliability and customer satisfaction.
2025 Lineworker Training
Over the past 27 years, more than 1,400 workers from 91 Member communities in six states have attended American Municipal Power, Inc.’s (AMP) popular lineworker training series.
The AMP Apprenticeship Training Program provides Member utility personnel with a high-quality, certified training program that combines both formal classroom training and hands-on personalized instruction. With a focus on safe operations, system reliability and premier customer service, the training program includes four levels — Basic 1, Basic II, Intermediate and Advanced — designed to follow the Northwest Lineman’s College (NLC) Power Delivery Program. With experienced instructors, AMP’s training program prepares lineworkers for long-term success.
The AMP Training Program has been approved as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor by the U.S. Department of Labor, allowing AMP Members, regardless of which state they are located, to receive certification through AMP’s registered apprenticeship program.
Program Features
- Certified classes for each of the four apprentice-level courses
- Emphasis on the importance of safe and proper work techniques
- Hands-on lessons and modules designed to enhance coursework
- Classroom instruction from highly skilled and qualified instructors
- Unique curriculum developed for AMP Members
- Two weeks of training per level
- Competitively priced courses for AMP Members
Sessions maintain a low student-to-instructor ratio (5:1) for hands-on activities. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance from AMP and can obtain a national certificate by completing all correspondence coursework through NLC.
Basic 1 Lineworker Training
Created for first-year apprentices, this class places a strong emphasis on safety while offering an introduction to and hands-on practice in climbing skills. Topics include enhanced climbing skills, personal protective equipment, grounding, arc flash, gloving procedures, installation of equipment, conductors, substations, live-lines, and equipment and transformer basics.
2025 Training Dates
- Oct. 6-9
- Oct. 20-23
Basic 2 Lineworker Training
The second class in AMP’s Lineworker series emphasizes safety and builds on the skills learned in Basic 1 Lineworker Training through bookwork and hands-on training. Due to the large number of Basic 2 level apprentices, AMP is offering two different sections of the class this year.
2025 Training Dates
- Sept. 8-11
- Sept. 22-25
Intermediate Lineworker Training
The third class in AMP’s Lineworker series emphasizes safety and incorporates bookwork and hands-on training to help provide additional installation skills, troubleshooting and simulated energized work.
2025 Training Dates
Class A
- June 9-12
- July 28-31
Class B
- June 23-26
- Aug. 11-14
Class C
- July 14-17
- Aug. 25-28
Advanced Lineworker Training
The final course in AMP’s Lineworker series places a strong emphasis on safety and delves further into installation skills, simulated energized work and simulated hot stick work. The course is designed to provide an advanced knowledge of trouble investigation, underground cable terminating, secondary fault locating, crew leadership, communications and automation.
2025 Training Dates
- May 5-8
- May 19-22
2025 Regional Training Offerings
Regional training events take place throughout the year, covering a variety of relevant safety topics for municipal electric systems. These courses and other customized training opportunities are available upon Member request. Meetings are open to all AMP Members regardless of location.
Advanced Transformers
A refresher course for journeyman or a learning opportunity for experienced apprentices, this course focuses on advanced transformer theory and the review of transformer connections.
Groundworker Training
Great for cross-training from other departments, Groundworker Training is designed for entry-level apprentices as a beginning course or for municipal employees who assist the electric line crew as groundworkers.
Leadership Training
AMP has developed a series of leadership courses that would benefit utility personnel who are looking to move into leadership or are newly in a leadership role. Sessions will cover management style, communication, the art of listening, planning, budgeting and a variety of other topics.
New Lineworker Practices
Demonstrate and discuss proper cover-up techniques, use of voltage indicators and phasing sticks, different grounding techniques on overhead construction and the proper installation of insulated jumpers/macks and load/pickup macks.
Substations 101
This course focuses on the operation, equipment, switching, inspections, fencing, security, clearances and safety in substation operations. This class is designed for an entry-level substation technician apprentice and journeyman lineworker, and anyone directly involved in substation operations.
Underground Distribution Troubleshooting
Power outage scenario involving a faulted pad-mount transformer. Participants will demonstrate proper isolation, voltage testing and grounding procedures to safely replace the transformer and return it to service.
See the 2025 Training Catalog for additional single- and multi-day training courses available.
Additional Opportunities
APPA Lineworkers Rodeo
Visit the APPA website for more information.
- 2026: Dates and location TBD
APPA Engineering and Operations Conference
Visit the APPA website for more information.
- 2026: Dates and location TBD
AMP Technical Services Conference
Designed for electric utility managers, village administrators, engineers, lineworkers and technical staff, AMP’s annual Technical Services Conference is intended to promote and contribute to the objective of operational safety and reliable system services. Learn more here.
Quest Conference Center, Westerville
April 29-30, 2025
Have More Questions?
For more information on AMP’s technical services, contact the following personnel:
Lineworker Apprentice Training: Michelle Palmer, Vice President of Technical Services and Compliance, 614.540.1111, [email protected]
Circuit Rider: Scott McKenzie, Senior Director of Member Training and Safety, 614.540.1111, [email protected]
Engineering Programs: Michelle Palmer, Vice President of Technical Services and Compliance, 614.540.1111, [email protected]
Environmental Services: John McGreevy, Assistant Vice President of Environmental, Health, Safety and Compliance, 614.540.1111, [email protected]
Mutual Aid: Scott McKenzie, Senior Director of Member Training and Safety, 614.540.1111, [email protected]
System Mapping: Jennifer Flockerzie, Manager of Technical Services Logistics, 614.540.1111, [email protected]
Technical Training: Michelle Palmer, Vice President of Technical Services and Compliance, 614.540.1111, [email protected]