Electric Co-op Today

There’s a lot more to learning the lineworker trade than climbing poles and handling hot sticks.

Officials from Minnesota co-ops joined college officials for the recent dedication of the new substation learning facility at the school. (Photo By: Minnesota State Community and Technical College)

That’s why co-ops in Minnesota recently gave a working substation to the Electrical Lineworker Program at Minnesota State Community and Technical College located in Wadena, Minn.

Because the school has produced a number of trainees recruited by co-ops in north-central Minnesota, co-op executives look for opportunities to enhance the program.

“Since we needed a new substation, we decided to dismantle the older facility and make a donation,” said Jared Echternach, member services manager of Itasca-Mantrap Cooperative Electric Association.

The donated unit is no longer a component of the electric distribution grid, but it can be energized to provide a realistic training experience for the students.

“Whether they are learning about assembly, disassembly or modifications, they are going to be using it as a hands-on learning tool,” said Echternach. “That’s something they haven’t been able to do in the past.”

Several other co-ops in the area have hired former students from the school, so when officials contacted them for assistance, they were happy to help out.

A dozen co-ops were among the utilities that pitched in with nearly $25,000 in services and materials. Besides preparing a concrete pad for the substation, they also helped transport its disassembled components to the site.

“This generous support from the utilities certainly helps to set our program apart from any other in Minnesota,” said Dan Carlisle, chairman of the Wadena Area College Foundation. “This will help keep our high-profile lineworker program in the forefront of the industry.”

Tags: Co-op News, Lineworkers