Career Development for Lineworkers (CDL)

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!

1. Please print the enrollment form and send with enrollment fee.
2. After receiving your enrollment form and fee, we will send you a User Name and password.
3. Next, download the Student Training Guide.
4. After receiving your User Name and password, begin your online Career Development for Lineworker (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
Online Training: $849 per apprentice, per year (standard curriculum). Print enrollment form

Paper Version: $879 per apprentice, per year (standard curriculum). Print enrollment form

For more information or to enroll apprentices contact Julie Jelen at MREA.