2021 Apprentice Lineworker Program
NEPPA Training Center | Littleton, MA
Under guidance from federal, state, and local authorities, NEPPA has reopened its Headquarters/Training Center. In-house and @Your-Site Training is being held and scheduled in accordance with federal, state, and local guidelines.
All visitors, staff and trainers must follow the established practices and protocols to ensure the safety, health and well-being of the NEPPA community.
Click here for NEPPA's COVID-19 Visitor Policy.
For authorization to enter the Training Center, all visitors must complete this Health Screening Form.
NEPPA has adopted the four-year curriculum of the Northwest Lineman College’s Lineworker Certification Program and combines hands-on and formal classroom training. Students attend class four times a year for four days each to complete the four-year program. 
In addition to classroom time, students are expected to:
- Self-study by reading the material
- Track, record, and submit monthly apprenticeship reports of on-the-job training
- Track, record and submit quarterly "competency" forms
Each year, students participate in an additional two-day Skills Assessment Rodeo each year. The Apprentice Rodeo is designed to showcase the apprentices’ developing technical and climbing skills, and to reinforce the program’s focus on professionalism, safety, and proper technique.
Course Length:
4 days/week; 4 weeks per year
*NEW* Beginning in 2021, each Friday of the session will consist of a virtual review of the week's material and online testing. Students should plan to attend classes in-person at the Training Center Tuesday - Thursday, and join the session(s) remotely on Friday.
Course & Modified Agenda(s) *
As with most in-person training, we ask that participants remain flexible as we approach the coming year. Although every effort will be made to hold classes in-person at NEPPA's Training Center in Littleton, MA, we will likely have a combination of in-person, hybrid and virtual sessions.
Year I:
Feb. 23 - 26; April 6 - 9; Sept. 28 - Oct. 1; Nov. 16 - 19, 2021
Year II:
March 2 - 5; April 13 - 16; Oct. 5 - 8; Nov. 30 - Dec. 3, 2021
Year III:
March 9 - 12; April 27 - 30; Oct. 26 - 29; Dec. 7 - 10, 2021
Year IV:
March 16 - 19; May 4 - 7; Nov. 2 - 5; Dec. 14 - 17, 2021
Apprentice Skills Assessment Rodeo:
June 9 - 10, 2021
Apprentice Lineworker Program Graduation:
Dec. 17, 2021
*NEW*
Apprentice Lineworker Program Make-Up Weeks
In 2021, NEPPA is be establishing the following "Make-Up Weeks" to invite any student who needs to make-up time in the Program and/or conduct competencies for the Program.
May 24 - 28, 2021 (Years I - IV)
November 8 - 10, 2021 (Years I - IV)
* In-Person, Virtual & Hybrid Lectures
As noted above, every effort will be made to hold classes in-person at NEPPA's Training Center in Littleton, MA, we will likely have a combination of in-person, hybrid and virtual sessions.
Please ensure every student has an active email address and access to a computer or personal device in order to fully participate in the program.
Location
All in-person sessions are held at the NEPPA Training Center:
NEPPA Training Center
200 New Estate Road
Littleton, MA 01460
Program is also offered in New York. Please contact NEPPA at (978) 540-2200 for more information.
Apprentice Lineworker Skills Assessment Rodeo Agenda
Day 1 – June 9, 2021
8:00 AM Registration
8:30 AM Opening Ceremony
Raise flag
National Anthem
Recognize Veterans
Moment of silence for those who gave all
9:00 AM Events begin
12:00 PM Lunch
2:00 PM Events end for the day
Day 2 – June 10, 2021
8:00 AM Events begin
12:30 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Awards Ceremony
2:00 PM Rodeo closes
Please note the dates are subject to change.
Topics Covered & Prerequisites
Year One:
Introduction to power delivery; safety; working in elevated positions; knots, splices and rope; electrical systems; first aid; applied mathematics; basic electrical theory; transformer basics; and 29 CFR 1910.269 (Parts A, B, C, G, I, K, N)
Prerequisite: It is recommended that students new to the program be pre-qualified, either through their utility or through NEPPA’s Lineworker Pre-Qualification Program.
All Year One Students are required to complete a special enrollment form online with the Northwest Lineman College, including a "Readiness Assessment".
Year Two:
Safety; AC fundamentals; personal protective grounding; live line equipment and methods; rigging; underground conductors; overhead conductors; electrical test equipment; substations; and 29 CFR 1910.269 (Parts H, J, L, M, R)
Prerequisite: Year One, or successful completion of the Year One Prequalification Competencies & Exam
Year Three:
Safety; special elements; metering; system power flow; advanced transformers; maps and standards; system protection; National Electric Safety Code One and Two; and 29 CFR 1910.269 (Parts E, F, P, Q, T, U, W)
Prerequisite: Year Two, or successful completion of the Year One and Year Two Prequalification Competencies & Exams
Year Four:
Safety; communication systems; special elements; vegetation management; system operation; system automation; overhead line design; underground line design; trouble investigation; and crew leadership.
Prerequisite: Year Three
Registration
Registration includes coffee and lunch each day. Lodging is not included in the registraiton fee and must be arranged directly with the hotel. See "Lodging" information below.
NEPPA Members:
$3,280 per person, per year
Non-Members:
$4,920 per person, per year
Pre-Qualification Program Rates:
1 – 3 Individuals:
NEPPA Members: $500
Non-Members: $750
4+ Individuals:
Contact NEPPA
For more information on the Pre-Qualification Program, contact NEPPA at (978) 540-2200 or email training@neppa.org.
NOTE: New students enrolling in the Northwest Lineman College/NEPPA Program are required to complete a digital enrollment form from the college, digitally signed by both the Apprentice and their Supervisor. Links will be auto-generated and sent from Northwest Lineman College.
Cancellation Policy
All program withdrawals must be sent in writing to NEPPA or emailed to training@neppa.org. Substitutions may be made at any time (prior to the start of the program).
Books must be returned within 35 days of the shipment date, provided that no exams have been taken and they are in like-new condition, so the appropriate refund can be issued. If books are not returned within this time frame, the cost will be deducted from the tuition refund as described below.
Withdrawals/cancellations received based on the schedule below are eligible for the following:
3 weeks prior to the 1st scheduled week of class = 100% refund of tuition
Before completion of the 1st scheduled week of class = 75% refund of tuition
Before the completion of the 2nd scheduled week of class = 50% refund of tuition
After the 2nd scheduled week of class = 0% refund of tuition
Please see the information below regarding instructors and lodging.
Questions? Please contact the Colleen Del Signore, Education & Training Coordinator at colleend@neppa.org or call (978) 540-2209.
Instructors
Steve Socoby, CUSP, Technical & Safety Trainer
Authorized OSHA Outreach Instructor (Construction)
Steve has 36 years of hands on experience in all facets of operations, of public power utilities including: Line Superintendent; supervision of crews, maintenance, new construction, reliability and associated plant & sub-station responsibilities. He is a recognized expert in safety and OSHA compliance.
In his role of Director of Training, he is responsible for development and quality of safety & technical programs. He also oversees the line-workers’ school and teaches utility management and supervision, electronic controls and power-line operation programs.
Recognized as an industry leader and expert, in 2001 Steve received the Distinguished Service Award from the Northeast Public Power Association and been recognized by the Maine State Legislature for his previous 30 Years of Distinguished Service. Steve attended the University of Maine at Orono.
In 2020, Steve was honored for his long-standing commitment to NEPPA and the industry by being awarded the organization's Person of the Year Award.
Scott Larsen, Technical & Safety Trainer
Scott joined NEPPA in September 2020 and has 32 years of professional experience in the utility industry. Scott retired from his role as the General Line Foreman for Littleton Electric Light and Water Departments in spring 2020.
His significant field experience coupled with his passion for safety has made him an excellent addition to NEPPA's training team.
Well known for his stellar work with NEPPA’s Lineworkers Rodeo, Scott is also quite familiar with NEPPA Mutual Aid and has participated in Light Up Navajo. In addition, Scott serves as an LELWD Commissioner in Littleton, MA where he resides.
Dennis Regele, Technical & Safety Trainer
Authorized OSHA Outreach Instructor (General Industry)
Dennis has been a trainer for the Northeast Public Power Association since November 2018 and travels throughout the Northeast.
Dennis has a Bachelor's of Science in Natural Science for Worcester State College, is married and has 3 sons.
Prior to joining NEPPA, Dennis started his career in the utility industry in 1984 with Massachusetts Electric (now National Grid). He worked his way up from an apprentice lineworker through crew leader and eventually as Line Supervisor and Safety Supervisor. He then moved on to NSTAR (now Eversource) as a Field/Technical Trainer.
Dennis also spent time with Asplundh Utility Line construction as a Regional Safety Supervisor/Trainer and has served as an OSHA Outreach Trainer for the past 12 years.
In addition to training for NEPPA, Dennis is also a part -time instructor at Quinsigamond Community College with the Energy Utility Program.
Lodging
Lodging is not included in your registration fees and must be arranged directly with the hotel. If you need overnight accommodations, please contact any of the following hotels directly and be sure to mention you’re with NEPPA (or the appropriate code/account number) to receive the negotiated rate:
Courtyard by Marriott Littleton - King: $155/night + tax; Queen/Queen: $165/night + tax
102 Constitution Avenue
Littleton, MA 01460
(978) 440-5040 - If calling to make your reservation, be sure to mention either NEPPA or Northeast Public Power
Click here to make your reservation online using the Corporate Rate: BZL *** Due to COVID, please call the hotel directly.
Boxboro Regency Hotel & Conference Center - $99/night + tax
242 Adams Place
Boxboro, MA 01719
(978) 263-8701
The Westford Regency Inn & Conference Center - $109/night + tax (with breakfast)
219 Littleton Road
Westford, MA 01886
(978) 692-8200
Click here to make your reservation online using the Rate Access Code: NEPPA.
SpringHill Suites Devens Common Center - $129/night + tax
27 Andrews Parkway
Devens, MA 01434
(978) 772-3030
Click here to make your reservation online.
Hilton Garden Inn Devens - $129/night + tax
59 Andrews Parkway
Devens, MA 01434
(978) 772-0600
Click here to make your reservation online using the Group Code: BZL.
