works at the utility, they may apply for a position that requires an apprenticeship. If accepted, the employee then begins their apprenticeship. Therefore, to get into a Sierra Pacific apprenticeship, individuals must first apply to and be accepted as a Sierra Pacific employee. Recruitment from outside the company occasionally takes place when there are no qualified internal applicants. These programs are only for Sierra Pacific Power in northern Nevada and are not for Sierra Pacific’s sister company in southern Nevada, Nevada Power.

Program Specifics

There are number of utility apprenticeships and these are listed below with the number of years they take for completion. Power plant operations include plant mechanic, instrument technician, plant electrical technician and lab technician. Most of these positions are located in Valmy, Nevada near Winnemucca. The others listed below are mainly in the Reno area. The beginning salary range for apprentices is $24/hour and for journey level workers the range is from $30-$37/hour. Additional benefits like medical, dental and vision insurance and a retirement plan increase the total wage value.

Apprenticeships: 

▲ Telecommunications technician (requires a FCC license), two years

▲ Customer serviceman*, two and a half years

▲ Electrical plant technician, three years

▲ Electrician, four years

▲ Fitter, two years

▲ Fitter/Welder, two years

▲ Gas meterman*, two years 

▲ Lineman*, three and a half years

    * Anything labeled “man” above can be considered appropriate for women as well.

Apprenticeship qualifications and information:

▲ All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license.

▲ Applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. 

▲ Applicants must be physically capable of performing the essential functions
of the apprenticeship program and subsequent work.

▲ Applicants must successfully pass a drug test to be employed by Sierra Pacific.

▲ The apprenticeship program offers equal opportunity to all people regardless of race, age, color, gender, religion, nationality or sexual orientation.

▲ Applications are accepted when there are openings available for "outside"
applicants and these are posted on the company's website
(www.sierrapacific.com). As stated above, apprenticeships are first offered
to existing Sierra Pacific employees for an internal application process. If
there are no successful internal applicants, "outside" applicants may apply. Applications are retained for two years.

        ↘ The program hopes to accept 5-10 new apprentices this year.

▲ Tests, specific to the individual apprenticeships, are scheduled and given by the utility’s Human Resources Development Department. 

▲ Classroom instruction runs year ‘round, two times a month. Classes run a
minimum of 144 hours a year.

▲ There is no cost for school or books. Most apprenticeships do not require
personal tools, but linemen equipment runs approximately $300.

▲ The apprenticeships at Sierra Pacific are joint programs between the
company and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
1245.  IBEW union membership information is available from the IBEW at
775.849.3555 or www.ibew1245.com

For more information contact:

Sierra Pacific Power Co.
Wayne Davis (in Las Vegas but handles No. Nevada)
6226 West Sahara Avenue
P.O. Box 98910, Las Vegas, NV 89151-0001
Phone:  702.367.5737   
Fax:  702.367.5053
Email:  wdavis@sierrapacific.com   
Web:  www.sierrapacific.com