Are you looking for a rewarding career with excellent pay? Were you impacted by the Camp Fire? You may be eligible for this free, grant-funded training opportunity.

About the Training Program

This 200-hour program is structured in two phases.

Weeks 1 through 4 — Core Training

Participants build the technical foundation needed for a career in utility line clearance arboriculture. You will gain extensive hands-on experience with chainsaws, tree climbing, aerial lifts, chippers, rigging systems, and utility vegetation management operations while earning industry-recognized certifications, including:

• First Aid/CPR
• Flagger Certification
• Electrical Hazard Awareness Program (EHAP)

Week 5 — Skill Building and Job Readiness

The final week shifts focus from learning to launching. Participants spend time in repetition and real work simulation to build confidence and consistency, then move into job readiness preparation including resume writing, interview skills, and hands-on support applying for positions in the industry. You leave the program ready to work, not just trained.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must commit to attending and actively participating in the full duration of the training program.
• Participants must be physically capable of performing demanding outdoor work, including lifting equipment, operating chainsaws and other tools, working on uneven terrain, and participating in tree climbing and aerial lift training activities.
• Designed for individuals seeking employment in the utility vegetation management industry, including those entering the workforce, changing careers, or returning to the industry after time away.
• Must be willing to pursue a Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL) or a Class B CDL with an Air Brakes endorsement.
• Participation in required grant-funded program surveys is mandatory.

How to Apply

Space in this program is limited. Click “Add to Waiting List” below to get started. Once you submit your information, you will receive an email from our office with a formal application.

We will review your application and may contact you for a brief phone interview. If selected, you will be notified of your eligibility and assigned a Case Manager from Alliance for Workforce Development, who will guide you through the next steps.

This Session: Monday, August 3 – Friday, September 4, 2026

Monday through Friday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 8 Hours Per Day 

Location: The Training Place – Butte College, 2480 Notre Dame Blvd, Chico, CA 95928

Are you looking for a rewarding career with excellent pay? Were you impacted by the Camp Fire? You may be eligible for this free, grant-funded training opportunity.

About the Training Program

Pre-Inspectors are the first line of defense between the power grid and the vegetation that threatens it. They work in the field assessing the risk that trees and other vegetation pose to electrical infrastructure, helping prevent service outages and reducing the risk of wildfires caused by contact between power lines and trees. It is demanding, meaningful work that plays a critical role in keeping communities safe and the lights on.

This 72-hour workforce training program prepares you for that role. You will learn to identify tree species and understand how their characteristics, growth rates, and defects affect the risk they pose to utility lines. You will conduct formal tree risk assessments, develop work prescriptions that guide line-clearance crews, apply California compliance requirements, and communicate effectively with customers and utility stakeholders throughout the process.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must commit to attending and actively participating in the full duration of the training program.
• Participants must be physically capable of walking long distances, working outdoors in varying weather conditions, driving for extended periods, and performing field inspections on uneven terrain.
• Designed for individuals seeking employment in the utility vegetation management industry, including those entering the workforce, transitioning careers, or returning to the industry after time away.
• Must be willing to pursue a Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL) or a Class B CDL with an Air Brakes endorsement.
• Participation in required grant-funded program surveys is mandatory.

How to Apply

Space in this program is limited. Click “Add to Waiting List” below to get started. Once you submit your information, you will receive an email from our office with a formal application.

We will review your application and may contact you for a brief phone interview. If selected, you will be notified of your eligibility and assigned a Case Manager from Alliance for Workforce Development, who will guide you through the next steps.

This Session: Monday, October 12 – Thursday, October 22, 2026 

| 9 Days | 72 Hours of Training 

Location: The Training Place – Butte College, 2480 Notre Dame Blvd, Chico, CA 95928