12 lineworkers from electric cooperatives and municipal utilities have graduated from apprentice to journeyman status following completion of thousands of hours of extensive training.
They completed their final Line Technician Apprentice Program-Step 8 class on Sept. 16 at the Electric Cooperative Training Center in Palmyra, Va. The Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives owns and operates the state-of-the-art center.
The graduates are:
- Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative: Christopher Brown II, Blake Sparling, Andrew Clements and Joseph Darr
- Prince George Electric Cooperative: Douglas Dunn
- Community Electric Cooperative: Daniel Hobson
- Rappahannock Electric Cooperative: Cody Studds and Alister Pollard
- City of Martinsville: Curt Compton and Austin Shumate
- City of Seaford, Del.: Gregory Brooke
- City of Danville, Va.: Jonathan Greer
“Some things that were memorable from the class were reconducting, setting poles, changing out transformers and learning different ways to do things. It made it really easy to learn new techniques and different ways to get a job done,” Dunn said.
To achieve journeyman status, lineworkers must complete 8,000 hours of classroom and on-the-job training. Alan Scruggs, the Association’s vice president of safety, training and education services, said the program incorporates climbing skills, knowledge of electricity, underground and substation work, safety and leadership, among other topics.
“We congratulate these lineworkers on this important accomplishment. They’ve shown the dedication and commitment to training that will enhance the quality of life back home,” Scruggs said.