Articles

Count on Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship & Training Program to keep you up-to-date about the program, our staff, our students, safety and other information that will better prepare you for your career.

• Chairman’s Perspective
• Missouri Valley JATC Chair and IBEW Local 1525 Business Manager Glen Petznick reflects on the career, the program and the future. Well-trained apprentices help union contactors stay competitive by providing them a steady supply of linemen who know how to get the job done right and safe.
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• Apprenticeship Profile: Zach Hallstrom
• Zach Hallstrom, a fourth-step apprentice lineman, strapped a GoPro camera to his hard hat and proceeded to climb an electrical pole. “I wanted to capture what this work is all about and share it with others,” explained Zach, who took time out from his on-the-job training to share some comments about his career choice.
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• Field Mentoring Is a Priority for New Board Member
• Troy Schneider, vice president of central transmission and distribution for Michels Power, is one of three new board members recently added to the Missouri Valley JATC team. Each board member brings a unique perspective to their role of helping guide the apprenticeship program to continued success.
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• Big Iowa Project Is a Sign of the Future for the Electrical Construction Trade
• What’s 191 miles long, involves more than 200 people and is a sign of what’s to come for the electrical construction industry? The 345/161 kV project currently under construction by EC Source and T&D Power in Iowa.
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• Substation Technician Program Pays Off in More Ways Than One
• Eric Bramer admits that he doesn't like climbing poles, but that didn't prevent him from a fulfilling career in the electrical construction industry. Eric is among a group of apprentices completing Missouri Valley's new substation technician program.
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• New Board Member Sees Opportunities Ahead for Linemen
• When MJ Electric in Iron Mountain, Michigan, needs linemen to meet the demands of utilities across the country, they know exactly where to find them — Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship & Training Program. "I see the apprenticeship program as a valuable tool for us as well as the future of our industry," comments MJ Electric Senior Vice President/Utilities Division Tom Nagy.
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• A Valuable Training Experience Comes to Missouri Valley in September
• Do you know how to shake down a steel transmission tower off a suspension line? Are you aware of the latest techniques and equipment for installing, inspecting and using wood pole fall restriction devices? These are just two of the many topics to be discussed and demonstrated during a special three-day training session from Buckingham Manufacturing and the Electrical Training Alliance being hosted by the Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship Training Program on September 14–16, in Indianola, IA.
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• Missouri Valley Competes in the International Lineman's Rodeo
• Four Missouri Valley apprentices spent hour after hour training for the time of their lives. They climbed poles. They practiced their first-aid skills. They read every page of the lineman's handbook. It all paid off in mid-October when they competed in the 31^st annual International Lineman's Rodeo in Kansas City, where Local 1525 Missouri Valley apprentice Joe Peachy took first place in the speed climb and finished third overall in the two-day competition.
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• New Indoor Pole Yard Ready for Action
• Like mail carriers, linemen are often called upon to work in rain, sleet and snow. "Learning how to climb poles in these types of conditions is a real challenge for first-time climbers," notes Assistant Director-Related Training Wes Roberson, who is looking forward to conducting training in Missouri Valley's new indoor pole facility next winter.
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• The Future Looks Bright for Electrical Construction Workers
• The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) recently announced $3.6 billion in transmission improvements planned for the next five years.
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• Website and Brochure Updates Tout New Programs
• With the recent addition of the Traffic Signal Technician and Substation Technician Programs, Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship and Training Program has made major changes to its promotional materials.
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• Is a Career as a Substation Technician Right for You?
• Do you want to learn skills you never thought possible? That's one question Mark Theyerl will ask apprentices applying for the new Substation Technician Program.
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• New Programs Promote Safety up High and on the Road
• Safety is a big part of your training as a lineman, and Missouri Valley Line Constructors and Apprenticeship Training Program is committed to keeping you safe in every aspect of your job.
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• Got Experience? Get Direct Entry Into The Apprenticeship Program
• To meet the growing demand for qualified linemen, Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship and Training Program recently introduced a unique direct interview/direct slotting policy specifically for those lineman who have previous experience working with non-union shops.
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• Meet Our Newest Instructor: Eric Boyer
• Throughout his life, Eric Boyer learned valuable lessons that have prepared him for his current responsibilities as a Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship and Training Program instructor.
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• Samantha Randby is Proud to Be “One of the Guys”
• As a young girl, Samantha Randby would take delight in her father's stories about his adventures installing overhead cable for television systems around the country. Today, her father takes delight in Samantha's stories about her adventures as a lineman (and yes, Samantha prefers lineman to lineperson).
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• Get to Know Our Newest Board Member
• For the past 20 years, Steve Lindley has worked throughout the country in various aspects of the electrical contactor business.
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• Wes Roberson’s Adventure Continues as a Related Training Coordinator
• One of the first people Missouri Valley apprentices meet is Related Training Coordinator Wes Roberson. It’s his job to teach new recruits the basic skills needed for success in the field...
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• Crane Certification Training is a Must for Linemen
• The recent collapse of a crane taking down the Macy’s Great Tree atop of Lenox Square in Atlanta further dramatized the importance of CIC (Crane Institute Certification) crane certification program.
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• Rotating Apprentices is Key to Successful Training
• How do you keep apprentices moving quickly through their training? “Rotation,” says Robbie Foxen, Missouri Valley assistant director of apprentice coordination...
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• Making The Move From Marine To Lineman
• When he was in high school, Dustan Pease knew exactly what the future would hold for him. He enlisted in the Marines during his senior year and shipped out immediately after graduation.
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• Ten Tips For Keeping Safe And Warm When Working In Cold Weather
• Linemen should avoid exposure to extremely cold temperatures when possible. When cold environments or temperatures can not be avoided, linemen should follow these recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect themselves from cold stress.
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• Five Things You Should Know About Providing Equipment And Material To Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship & Training Program
• Word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising. What better way to get your customers talking about your equipment and materials than by making those products an integral part of a lineman's training?
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• Being a Hero Is Just Part of the Job for This Lineman
• For 41 days this spring. Matt Moriva felt like a hero. According to Matt, that's just one of the many benefits of being a lineman. He was among the hundreds of linemen who were called into action to restore power in the wake of tornadoes that hit Alabama in April.
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• Online Workbooks
• Missouri Valley's mission is committed to providing unparalleled learning opportunities and to stay on the cutting-edge of teaching practices. Online workbooks are an integral way in which instructors and students interact. It opens up the lines of communication to ensure that all material is being covered in a thorough and clear manner.
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• What Accidents Can Teach Us About Safety
• Accidents happen, and when they do they can be a great learning tool for everyone in our industry. We've highlighted several recent accidents that happened to our apprentices and the lessons they teach us.
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• We're Offering Individuals An Opportunity to Climb Higher
• Becoming a lineman provides qualified individuals a career that offers a variety of responsibilities, outstanding benefits, ongoing educational opportunities and a bright future for themselves and their family. Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship and Training Program will help individuals reach their career goals.
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• 7 Things Contractors Should Know
• Your success depends on having qualified linemen you can trust on the job — linemen who are trained in the latest techniques, using the most up-to-date tools and equipment. Linemen who value safety and efficiency. Linemen who are proud of their profession and the quality of work they do.
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• 7 Things Public Officials Should Know
• You see linemen climbing on high power poles and tirelessly digging underground. You see them working in the cold of winter and the heat of summer. You see them on the scene during storms and power outages. You see them on barren, country roads and busy, city highways. These are the people we depend on to power our homes and businesses.
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Safety and News

• On-the-Job Accidents
• A 2nd step Missouri Valley apprentice was injured after falling off a guard structure. The guard structure had been set using 75 foot poles to protect an existing line and a road crossing. This guard structure was also guyed so it could be used as a catch off point for the 795 wire being pulled in...
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• An Employer's Perspective
• Mike Murray has certainly climbed high. Beginning his career as a lineman, Mike is currently president of PAR Electric, one of the largest and most respected outside plant electrical contracting companies in North America. His background as a lineman and his current responsibilities give him a unique perspective on the profession...
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