This month we are turning the focus to another team of employees at KEC—our apprentice linemen. KEC’s apprenticeship program was started because KEC leadership found that lineworkers were more successful if they were grown from within the organization. This program is also part of a transition plan for the future as close to 15% of our lineworkers are eligible for retirement in the next five years.
“The apprenticeship program at KEC is designed to support our apprentices to help ensure their success,” said Kevin Schneider, KEC Operations Superintendent and apprenticeship program leader. “Our primary focus is teaching and mentoring to foster positive growth and development.”
The current group of apprentices started at KEC as temporary pre-apprentice groundmen during the summer. Their work throughout the summer and successful tryouts earned them an apprentice position. We took some time to meet with the apprentices and ask them questions about their work and trade.
Why did you choose to apply for an apprenticeship at KEC?
“This is where I grew up and I wanted to serve my community,” said Chastain.
“It’s a great place to live and work,” said Wagner.
“You get trained by the guys you work with every day,” said Chastain. “Hopefully someday you get to teach them something.”
The apprentices also appreciate KEC’s training facility. “It provides us with real life experiences in a safe, controlled environment,” said Cochrell. “It gives us the capacity to fail safely as we learn.”
How is KEC’s apprenticeship different from those with a line construction contractor?
Future lineworkers often start their training with line school and then move on to working with a utility or a line construction contractor. The contract jobs often require travel—a good option for those interested in working in other parts of the country. However, some would rather stay close to family.
“I wanted to work for KEC because it’s a different lifestyle compared to working with a contractor,” said Wagner. “I have a family and wanted to be close to home.”
“You get to work with the same people every day,” said Crawford. “If you travel, you work with different people all the time.”
“It’s our system and we take pride in making it look good,” said Crawford.
How does a lineworker apprenticeship work?
“We started out as temporary pre-apprentice groundmen for the summer,” said Chastain. “We had to prove ourselves every day. Then we had to try out for the apprenticeship at the end of the summer.”
“It was the most stressful day of my life,” said Fuller, of the tryouts. “We had to do various tasks in front of all the linemen including hanging cross arms, splicing, digging splice boxes and more.”
After try outs, those selected became first-step apprentices. After six steps and a 6,000-hour apprenticeship, they take a final journeyman test. The process takes about three years. Besides working full time, other training during the apprenticeship includes attending various schools and camps in the Northwest, such as Saturday school, hot stick school, and climbing and rigging camp.
What training did you do to prepare for work in this field?
The apprentices have a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Some attended line school locally at the Vocational Outside Line Training Academy (VOLTA), located in Rathdrum, while others traveled to Boise and Georgia to train. Acceptance in line school is competitive, and opportunities are limited.
“I appreciate working closely with higher step apprentices or those who recently took the journeyman test,” said Causey.
“They just went through it, so they understand what we can do and our experience.”
What would you tell a young person interested in this career field?
“You don’t have to go to line school but it’s a harder route and some utilities require it,” said Fuller.
“You have to study after work,” said Anderson. “After working all day, you have homework and then attend training on Saturdays.”
“Getting through the apprenticeship is more about your grit and thirst for knowledge,” said Chastain.
The apprentices also completed separate training for flagging (to safely and effectively direct traffic in work zones) and must earn their commercial driver’s license prior to applying for an apprenticeship.
KEC Offers Scholarships for Future Lineworkers
KEC offers two scholarship options for KEC members or their children interested in training for careers in line work:
$2,000 professional technical scholarships each year which can be used for lineworker training or other trade schools. Funds for these scholarships are raised at KEC’s annual charity golf tournament.
The Jake Booth Memorial Scholarship may also be awarded each year. The scholarship amount varies annually, and the winner must attend VOLTA in Rathdrum. Funds for this scholarship are raised by KEC employees in honor of Jake Booth, a second-year apprentice at KEC, who was fatally injured on October 23, 2007, while working on power lines.
Scholarship winners are selected by the Kootenai Electric Trust Board. A combination of school and community involvement, academics, financial need, and an essay will be used in determining scholarship recipients.
Scholarship applications will be available in late 2025 and will be awarded in early 2026. Watch the Scholarship Program page for details.