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Career Development for Lineworkers (CDL)
NEW Career Development for Lineworkers is now available online.
Career Development for Lineworkers, (CDL) is an
apprentice training program designed to instruct utility personnel in
the safety related work practices and technical skills necessary to
install, operate, maintain, and remove electric power distribution
systems. In addition, the CDL training program instructs personnel in
safety practices, electrical theory, equipment and vehicle operation,
and system maintenance. The CDL program stresses safety, technical
knowledge and the performance of specific tasks that, when successfully
completed, demonstrate a trainee's ability and knowledge. Since 1999 the
CDL program has been utilized by many MREA members to assist in the
professional development of their lineworkers.
In conjunction with T&D PowerSkills, LLC, a
nationally recognized utility training organization, we are now
providing the Career Development for Lineworkers program on the
Internet. MREA is excited to offer this excellent service as another
option for lineworkers to advance through the apprenticeship of their
careers.
Just like the notebook and videotape program, each step or
apprenticeship year consists of 13 training units and is associated with
a training period of twelve months. The four-step CDL program is
designed to be completed within 48 calendar months from the date of
enrollment. There are 52 training units in the four-step program.
With the online version, video is provided through streaming video on
the monitor rather then videotape. Viewing the textbook is accomplished
with the click of the mouse, and if the student wishes, a hard copy of
the textbook may be provided with the student's registration.
Cooperative member training coordinators have administrative access
to the system to view progress, enter and track OJT hours, and manage
progress for the apprentice. Other advantages and improvements include:
- Unit Training Text and Graphics – Interactive presentation of
training materials including animated graphics to aid in
comprehension.
- Unit Quizzes - The unit quiz is to be administered to the
trainee at the completion of a unit and can be completed on-line
with the results immediately displayed for the student.
- Field Performance Requirements - Performance requirements
identify specific tasks for the trainee to perform in order to
demonstrate the knowledge gained from the on-line session training.
The form is provided and accessible and printable for each on-line
unit.
- On-the-Job (OJT) Training Report - A worksheet is available
through the website administration menu to allow the coordinator to
enter and tabulate on-the-job-training activities, safety meetings,
seminars, and other training related activities.
- Progress and Status Reports – After the student log-in,
individualized progress and status reports are available and
viewable to the student, and accessible to the coordinator, and are
instantly updated to remain current. Reports indicate units
completed, date completed, units remaining, unit quiz scores, and
other information useful to the student and coordinator. A message
option is also there to prompt the student with due dates or other
messages the coordinator sends.
- Certificate(s) of Completion - Upon completing each step a
trainee is awarded a Certificate of Completion. When a trainee has
completed the last step of either program, they are awarded a final
Certificate of Completion, indicating that the entire Career
Development for Linemen training program has been completed.
The new on-line program offers many advantages including:
- 24/7 accessibility by the student or coordinator.
- Course work completion from anywhere the apprentice has Internet
access including office, shop, home or even hotel.
- Easy access from remote locations or outposts.
- Updated streaming video maintained with the most current
technical information.
- On-site and online access to the textbook material, testing
material, regulatory information, course objectives, field
performance records, OJT tracking, and progress reports.
MREA will continue to offer the traditional notebook and videotape
version of the CDL program along with the new online access as long as
members continue to use it for the next 2 years. But we encourage
companies to move to the online version by starting new apprentices on
the program right away, and moving 1st and 2nd year apprentices to the
online version as they start their next steps. The online version of CDL
is provided at the same price as the original. Contact the MREA loss
control staff with questions or to request a demonstration of the online
program.
Why not enroll today? It's easy to get started!
- Please print the
enrollment form and send with enrollment
fee.
- After receiving your enrollment form and fee, we will send you a
User Name and password.
- Next, download the
Student
Training Guide.
- After receiving your User Name and password,
begin your online CDL Training
here.
Career Development for Lineworkers
Career Development for Lineworkers (CDL) is a training program designed to instruct utility personnel in safety-related work
practices and technical skills necessary to install, operate, maintain,
and remove electric power distribution systems. In addition, the CDL
training program instructs personnel in electrical
theory, equipment and vehicle operation, and system maintenance. The CDL
program stresses safety, technical knowledge and performance of
specific tasks that, when successfully completed, demonstrate a trainee's
ability and knowledge.
The CDL program consists of four steps (over four years)
with 13 training units in each step. Each training unit is a combination
of video-based instruction, a workbook and hands-on exercises, with a quiz
at the end of each section.
Trainees work through each multi-media training unit at their own pace and
can contact MREA staff for support and assistance as needed. All training
documentation, including the Certificate of Completion for each step, is
collected in a training coordinator's manual and kept by the employer.
MREA’s Role in Apprentice Training
Whether you use the Career Development program for Lineworkers or the Merchant Job
Training and Safety program, MREA plays an important role. For
example, MREA provides administrative support for both programs. This
support includes keeping OJT records, reporting on progress, giving and
correcting quizzes, and keeping records. To supplement each
cooperative's own record keeping, a Minnesota State Bureau of Apprentice
Training representative regularly inspects MREA's records to ensure our programs are
operating according to their rules.
Enrollment Fees
$849 per apprentice, per year (standard curriculum).
Print forms
For more information or to enroll apprentices contact
Julie Jelen at MREA. |
