Apprentice Powerline Technician

About Us

Forbes Bros. Group of Companies is a leading utility infrastructure contractor helping power communities across Canada and the United States. Built on family roots, we value safety, hard work, and getting the job done right for our clients. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities to build your skills and grow your career.

Role Details

• Location: Transmission & distribution line projects throughout Ontario.
• Employment type: Full-time, temporary
• Work arrangement: On-site - rotation
• Schedule: Project-based rotation, initially anticipated to be 21 days on / 7 days off or 6 days on / 1 day off. Frequent overtime and weekend work may be required to accommodate project schedules.
• Travel: Travel to project sites throughout Ontario is required.
• Travel support: Eligible for a $200 per day living-out allowance (LOA), where applicable while working away from home.

The Opportunity

The Apprentice Lineman supports the construction and maintenance of power systems under the guidance of a Foreman or Construction Manager. You will assist with installing, inspecting, repairing, and replacing overhead and underground power lines, substations, and related equipment while contributing to safe and efficient field operations.

This is a hands-on opportunity for someone with powerline or related industry experience who wants to develop their trade skills in an IBEW union role. You will work with field crews on transmission line projects across Ontario while learning to interpret construction drawings and completing training toward Lineman certification.

Key Elements of the Role

• Assist with the construction, installation, inspection, maintenance, modification, repair, and removal of high- and low-voltage transmission and distribution systems and related equipment.
• Transport materials and install and maintain power distribution cables, including laying underground cable in trenches.
• Assist with troubleshooting and repairing overhead transmission and distribution lines and maintaining interior, exterior, overhead, and underground electrical distribution systems.
• Follow company Occupational Health and Safety requirements and safe work practices, identify hazards, apply appropriate controls, and contribute to safety improvements.
• Learn to interpret site plans and construction drawings and apply them to assigned field activities.
• Participate in training and complete required documentation toward Lineman certification.
• Communicate clearly with supervisors and crew members, take and provide direction as required, and work collaboratively to complete assignments safely and within project deadlines.

What You’ll Bring

• Minimum six months of experience in powerline construction or a related industry.
• Willingness to enrol in and complete training toward Lineman certification and learn to interpret site plans and construction drawings.
• Ability to distinguish between colours.
• Strong safety awareness, including the ability to recognize hazards, apply the hierarchy of controls, follow established procedures, and ask questions when guidance is needed.
• Strong listening, verbal and written communication, problem-solving, and time-management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and work independently or as part of a team with minimal supervision.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work, including manual labour and heavy lifting in varying weather conditions and environments.
• A valid driver’s licence and an acceptable driver’s abstract, maintained throughout employment.

Equal Opportunity & Recruitment

Forbes Bros. Group of Companies and its affiliated entities are equal opportunity employers committed to a respectful and accessible recruitment process. We make employment decisions based on job-related qualifications and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or family status, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Applicants must currently be legally authorized to work in the country where the position is located and must maintain valid work authorization throughout their employment.

Employment is subject to the requirements of the applicable role, location, project, and employing entity. Depending on the position, this may include verification of work authorization, background screening, review of driving records or driver’s abstracts, drug and alcohol screening, credential verification, client or site-access requirements, and other pre-employment conditions permitted by applicable law.

Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process in accordance with applicable law. Applicants who require accommodation are encouraged to contact the recruitment team so we can discuss their needs and arrange appropriate support.