Electric Co-op Today

A Texas co-op is working with a local community college to make sure it has linemen and other skilled personnel to handle the needs of its consumer-members.

Apprentice linemen from West Texas College demonstrate their skills during a student showcase held in May. (Photo By: Big Country Electric Cooperative)

Big Country Electric Cooperative is investing in community college training that officials believe will help future talent find jobs with co-ops and other businesses close to home.

“With the turnover in linemen and competition from oil field service companies and wind farms, it’s been difficult to keep our lineman openings filled,” said Fredda Buckner, CEO and general manager of the Roby, Texas-based co-op.

Buckner began talking about a training program for linemen in 2007. Her ideas drew the attention of officials from Western Texas College and the Development Corporation of Snyder, a taxpayer supported economic development agency.

And last September, a training center affiliated with the college opened next door to the co-op’s new district office in Snyder, Texas. The co-op has also donated several surplus vehicles and other equipment to the program.

Apprentice linemen prepare for their climb toward career success at West Texas College in Snyder, Texas. (Photo By: Big Country Electric Cooperative)

Twenty-four of the first 28 students survived daily pole work in all types of weather conditions for two semesters and completed their training this spring.

Big Country EC currently has 57 employees, who provide service to about 12,000 consumer-members in its 12-county service territory, covering about 4,500 square miles.

Buckner initially wanted to hire two of the top graduates, but recent staff openings prompted her to double that number.

“Four of the students came into our co-op rated as lineman 3rd class with commercial drivers’ licenses. They’re already framing poles and working on construction projects and learning service crew assignments,” said Buckner.

“The idea is to develop several career paths that will lead to job opportunities with a co-op or another utility, a wind farm or a job with one of the oilfield service companies which also frequently have their own line crews.”

Tags: Consumer Outreach, Lineworkers