Learning the Lines: Training That Powers Our Communities

As a CoServ lineman, Kenny Beutter has been to his share of power outages over the years.

While the situations aren’t new, his responsibilities certainly are.

The newly promoted A2 lineman is the lead on a service truck, and it’s up to him to troubleshoot problems when he arrives on-scene. He’s not only watching out for his safety– he’s responsible for his helper, Jake Ellingwood, who is a beginner G2 lineman.

Kenny just completed a grueling year-long process to go from B1 to A2 classification, the longest and most difficult step. He’s considered a high apprentice now, meaning he’s two certifications away from becoming a journeyman.

“It’s been a whole lot of learning and trial by fire. I have to remember all my training, remember what I’ve been taught, when to do certain things,” Kenny said. “I’m used to being the helper. Now I’m out here making decisions.”

CoServ’s Lineman Training Program is designed to take linemen from beginner GTs (Ground Trainees) to journeymen in five and a half years. It offers comprehensive on-the-job training through every level – an opportunity that’s unusually rare in the utility industry.

As National Lineman Appreciation Day approaches on April 13, we wanted to highlight the studying and training that is required for a lineman promotion. Only the best of the best can be a CoServ linemen, which is reflected in the stellar service they provide our Members.

“It’s been very rewarding. As a helper you get complements all the time from Members,” Kenny said. “It’s been really fun to turn into a leader. Then you have apprentices looking at you saying, ‘I want to do it the way Kenny does it.’”

The crew that you see working in your neighborhood likely has linemen of all different classifications, each one with an important job to provide you with reliable power.

Chris Hageman went from baling hay on the farm to being a GT lineman. On a cool December morning, he was in the CoServ training yard doing his final evaluation to move to G2.

“CoServ gave me the opportunity to come in with no experience,” Chris said. “It’s my job to keep the trucks stocked and get materials ready for the guys in the bucket. I’m trying to stay a step ahead of them so they can keep working.”

In his first eight months with CoServ, he’s already worked some big jobs, including the aftermath of a windstorm that knocked over eight poles.

Luke Hawkins, Job Training and Safety Specialist, is with the lineman from the first time they strap on their climbing gear to their final promotion to journeyman.

“Once you make it through the five and a half years, that’s a great accomplishment. You’ve done something that a lot of people have tried and failed at,” Luke said. “This job isn’t for everybody.”