Arkansas Energy Workforce Consortium formed

Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. has partnered with other utility companies, construction contractors, state agencies and community colleges to form the Arkansas Energy Workforce Consortium. The consortium has launched a new certified line worker training program.

The program, which has a six-month curriculum, will begin this summer. The curriculum will provide training for students and allow them to gain certifications in several areas that include: Certified Line Worker; National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core, Power Line and Power Line Worker Level 1 with modules from 2 and 3; Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10; cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) First Aid Basic Plus; and 600 hours of curriculum and exercises. Students may also obtain a Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL).

“We look forward to this program increasing the number of certificated line workers across Arkansas,” said Jonathan Oliver, vice president of utility sales and services for AECI. “Arkansas’ electric cooperatives have had great success with a similar program at Arkansas State University – Newport for many years. Line workers play a crucial role in the delivery of safe and reliable electric service.”

To qualify for the program, students must be 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, hold a valid driver’s license, pass a drug and background check and be comfortable working at heights of up to 40 ft.

Students interested in the program should contact the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Tech at 501.907.6670 or visit www.facebook.com/arkenergyworkforce.

The Arkansas Energy Workforce Consortium is a coalition of electric utilities and contractors, community colleges and workforce development groups which projects energy worker needs and finds creative solutions to locate, educate and train workers for careers in energy in Arkansas.