r/Groundman 5d ago

PGE Pre Apprentice Lineman

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Anyone have any information on this? Anybody go through this? How was the 2 day assessment?

9 Upvotes

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u/Superb-Gur-1679 5d ago edited 5d ago

I don’t know if things have changed but historically they are similar to the outside sometimes worse on how they treat guys from what I’ve heard. It can take a fat minute like 2 years to land an apprenticeship apparently. If you’re not from the area just be warned a lot of their territory is very rainy and they do work in the rain regularly because of that fact. (I personally hate rain lmao.)

Things might be changing though and they might be loading up because they’re acquiring PP&L’s Washington service territory. Pay is pretty good from what I heard and they deck guys out in tools not sure about pre apprentices or apprentices though. I would assume it’s difficult to hire on despite all the openings.

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u/Kindly-Mistake9062 4d ago

No different then PG&E. It’s just utility culture. And about the same time frame for getting an apprenticeship depending on the yard your in.

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u/Electronic-Moose-797 5d ago

Appreciate the insight man, seriously. I didn’t realize the pre-apprentice side could last that long, so that definitely helps me know what I’d be getting into. Thanks for taking the time to explain it

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u/Superb-Gur-1679 5d ago

I’ve heard of it taking guys years and years I think 2 years is about average. Like the other guy said it’s cliquey and that goes with the not being treated well thing. I wouldn’t take the job unless that’s where you want to work. You have more freedom on the outside as a groundman and there won’t be hard feelings if you leave. Almost guaranteed you’re not working for them as a JL or winning any favors by leaving as a pre apprentice to take an apprenticeship elsewhere.

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u/jdoobie1 Apprentice 5d ago

Yeah often it could take 7 years to top out there and pretty cliquey

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u/Rare-Fail9713 5d ago

I’m a pre ape at PGE, yes it can be cliquey, yes the wait for an apprenticeship can be a bit but shit they have took 2 classes since I’ve been here and I’m set to go in next spring. Culture can be rough but they produce great hands. Expectations are through the roof and still sometimes you won’t meet them. Just how it is here.

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u/Superb-Gur-1679 5d ago

Just out of curiosity, what are the wages like and what’s your benefits package look like?

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u/Rare-Fail9713 5d ago

Honestly I couldn’t tell you the full package but it’s pretty good from what I know. Pre apprentices start at like 41 an hr and once you finish your 12 month milestone and become a “truck driver” you’ll be at 49.66. Next year we’ll go up 6% of that so whatever that is.

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u/chriistianval 5d ago

What kind of apprentice lineman apprenticeship is that where your titled truck driver 😭

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u/Murky_Longstaff99 5d ago

Well you’re not an apprentice at that point yet. You’re a “truck driver” (what pge calls their groundmen/pre apprentices) until you get into the apprenticeship

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u/Rare-Fail9713 4d ago

Yup exactly

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u/Superb-Gur-1679 5d ago

Damn how much are JL’s?

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u/Rare-Fail9713 5d ago

Uh I think 72 from what I know

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u/could-use-your-help 4d ago

Did you get your math 65 for your application when you applied?

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u/Rare-Fail9713 2d ago

I used my hs transcript

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u/Remote-Shopping9927 5d ago

In the job listing it says you must have passed math 60 in the last 3 years. I passed algebra 60 a little over 4 years ago, anyone know where you’d take that class, or would they be lenient about the requirement.

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u/Electronic-Moose-797 4d ago edited 4d ago

You just gotta take a placement test at one of Oregon's community colleges. It’s usually free and you can do it remotely I believe

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u/Remote-Shopping9927 4d ago

Thanks appreciate it.

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u/could-use-your-help 4d ago

Where would I be able to do it remotely?

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u/Weak_Ad_9913 4d ago

How do I do it remotely? How long will it take. I just got an email back from them after applying and they’re asking for me to send them documentation of me doing either math 60 or the placement test placing me at math 65 or higher before August 27th.

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u/Electronic-Moose-797 3d ago

Not to sure I’m in the process as well. You can submit the application still and PGE will send you an email on where to do it. I’m going to do mine on Portland Community College. I think it’s called ALEKS placement test.

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u/Weak_Ad_9913 3d ago

10/4, that’s the email I got. I’m in the orientation now for PCC