6.1. ERMUSR 02-15-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Over the past year we completed a pilot project in the cities of Fairfax, Springfield, and New Ulm. Students at each utility completed the first year of their apprentice- ship program under the guidance of MMUA's instructor. The members and students were very happy with the MMUA instructor, the modest cost, and the user friendly on-site on-demand format. to set the standard within the public power community nationwide. The facility includes a complete overhead and underground distribution system, a natural gas distribution system, comprehensive meter training facili- ties, underground vaults, and up-to-date equipment for students to train on. The facility draws students from all corners of the country and worldwide to come together to learn how to become more proficient at the work they do. This year's classes have been popular and well attended even with the struggling economy. The evaluations from the at- tendees have been very positive and supportive of the programs and the quality of instruction. In 2010 we installed a substation to be used for train- ingpurposes. The substation facility will allow students to work with substation equipment dealing with real life situations under controlled and safe circumstances. Training programs presented at the training center are described in the Meetings and Workshops section. Kevin Thompson is MMUA's Training Center Coordinator. On-site, On-demand Four Year Apprentice Lin- eworker Career Development Program One of the challenges that municipal electric utili- ties face is recruiting, training, and retaining qualified lineworkers. For several years MMUA has been working to develop acost-effective and user-friendly program to help our members develop a raw, first-year apprentice into a fully qualified first year journeyman lineworker in four years. Gary Greenwald is MMUA's primary On-site, On-0emand and lob Training and Safety Instructor. MMUA's instructor visits the utility a number of times during each year of the apprenticeship. During each visit the instructor reviews the apprenticeship course work with the student to make sure that the student is keep- ing up with the academics. The instructor also provides the student with hands-on instruction in the technical skills that must be mastered during each phase of the apprenticeship. The program also includes participation in several of MMUA's schools each year. First-year ap- prentices receive 300 hours of instruction over the course of the year. Students receive 150 hours of instruction in years two through four of their apprenticeship. This new program is now open for enrollment to stu- dents from all MMUA member utilities. You can enter this program at any time during the year, so you have the flexibility to start your apprentices when the time is right for you and your employee. Use this program to grow your own by looking at other departments for that next employee that may have the passion to become a lineworker, or maybe look at your local high school for that next great employee. Job Training and Safety Program The JTS program is the longest running training pro- gram offered by MMUA. Several years ago we refocused the program to place a greater emphasis on technical training to reflect the duties of the lineworker, engineer- ing, metering and other pertinent departments within the municipal electric utility. The program is designed to help both new and established employees become more proficient at their jobs by offering a more advanced 2010 Year in Review -11 A recent aerial view of the MMUA Training Center. MMUA's On-site, on-demand program in aMion in Fairfax.