Loading...Infrastructure improvements have been a political talking point for years, and America’s crumbling, outdated infrastructure seems to be as close to getting an upgrade as it ever has been. Rather than waiting and playing catch-up, the NECA/IBEW Powering America Team in the Midwest is investing a dollar today in hopes it’ll pay off larger, tomorrow. Larger meaning $15 million dollars, to be exact. But, no investment is too large for a country that runs on power.
The newly constructed and now open Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship and Training Center is going to be a key component to handling the infrastructure needs our country is facing today. As infrastructure needs grow, work for qualified power professionals and union Linemen and women will grow alongside, and this training facility will help train and prepare new apprentices.
With more than 50,000-square-feet, the facility has indoor and outdoor pole training yards, high and low voltage labs, classrooms, locker rooms, and a computer simulation room. The indoor pole yard is one of a kind considering it is five stories high, tall enough for a standard 45-foot pole to be set inside, out of the elements for year-round instruction and practice, rain (snow) or shine.
Twice a year apprentices travel here from seven nearby states for a full week of classes, and with multiple graduation options, there’s an opportunity for everyone. The training facility is expected to host thousands of future linemen and women over the course of its lifetime, with an estimate of approximately 130 new apprentices every year.
A $15 million dollar facility might seem like a hefty investment, but this training center is just another example of the commitment that the NECA/IBEW Powering America Team has to
make this industry better.
Ready to take a peek inside the Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship and Training Center? Watch now!