Pre-qualification school will be three weeks in duration, consisting of five (5) eight (8) hours days. Most of this time will be spent teaching and evaluating your climbing skills on utility poles using climbing spikes. . Climbing School will be at the TMC training facility (see map).

This is a "no nonsense" training program. The days are packed full of climbing activities as well as basic instruction in knot tying, hand line operation, rope splicing and pole top rescue. All candidates will be required to demonstrate proficiency in these skills in order to pass the school. The following suggestions will help you prepare both physically and mentally:

• Be at your physical best when you arrive. Your chances of successful completion are marginal at best if you are not.
   
• Immediately begin using the FPL-WELL stretching program included in an attachment below. These stretching exercises will help you to limber up in preparation for the physical demands of the training program.
   
• Commit to any exercise program that will help to strengthen those muscles and tendons that you are not used to using. Suggested exercises are those that would strengthen your knees such as stair climbing, stair master exercise equipment, squats, etc. (See attachments below)

Remember: climbing a pole is not a natural movement.

Attachments (Require Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Getting in Shape
Home Conditioning
Stretch Exercises