ADA, OK - (Feb. 20, 2024) The Oklahoma Association for Technology Centers recognized top industry partners for training and employing thousands of Oklahoma workers through CareerTech technology center programs at the annual Partners in Progress awards ceremony.
Pontotoc Technology Center (PTC) selected PEC for their commitment to advancing career technical education through exemplary commitments to workforce excellence and education in the community.
On August 14, 2023 Pontotoc Technology Center, with the help of People's Electric Cooperative, began the PTC Lineworker Academy. “This project was the result of numerous conversations with local businesses and primarily with People's Electric Cooperative (PEC) discussing the workforce issues in the skilled trades sector. PEC offered to PTC that this is a great need and that we should discuss this with other cooperatives and electrical lineworker companies,” said Travis Graham, PTC Superintendent.
Pontotoc Tech Center administrators began the investigation of the sector and found that there was great support and demand for this level of skill. So, discussions began with PEC to help with the program by providing internship opportunities and assistance with building program facilities. The plan was set in place early in 2023 with the ambitious goal of starting the program in August 2023. PTC and PEC staff began the arduous task of laying out the program using research from other programs and demands of the industry. “We found a great partner in PEC as they offered assistance in any phase of the process that we needed. We took advantage of their offer. With the assistance of PEC staff, as well as groundwork preparation by the Heavy Equipment program at PTC, the new Lineworker program was supplied with a climbing yard, a pole yard, a transmission, and distribution yard as well as a practice and training area for transformers,” said Jenny Cypert, PTC Director of Business and Industry Services.
“When we asked for used or damaged equipment for training purposes, they opened their shop for us to use anything we needed. When we looked at digging our pole yards, they offered to dig the poles and set them for us to help get us started. When we needed a transmission and distribution yard layout and installation, they came to the rescue and dug the holes, set the poles, and provided the initial experience for our students to see professional lineworkers in action. We asked for some very limited equipment, and they provided it openly. The meter training area for our program became a particularly ambitious project and PEC provided the equipment without question,” said Jim Lawson, PTC Assistant Director of Business and Industry Services.
With opportunities, like internships with PEC and similar companies, recruitment into the program is strong. People's Electric Cooperative, having provided services for over 80 years, is well known in our area for being a great place to work and provides the area with quality job opportunities throughout the region. With 68 full-time and 60 part-time employees serving 16,000 people, PEC services 11 south-central Oklahoma counties. They are often and regular with their support of local events and community development efforts. A partner of many in the community, PEC is known as a positive influence in the county and surrounding area. PEC is a member-owned, non-profit distribution electric cooperative. As such, each member shares in any profits made by the cooperative each year.
“When it came to advice, the lines were open and honest. When we needed information about the history of the industry, they provided experience that cannot be purchased. PEC provided mentorship and guidance needed to accomplish the goal of building an outstanding curriculum and facility to provide the best possible training environment for our students,” said Lawson. “Other partners have assisted Pontotoc Tech in this endeavor, but no one else has risen to the occasion as People's Electric Cooperative. Pontotoc Tech Center staff and students in the program are grateful for the partnership provided by People's Electric Cooperative,” continued Lawson.