Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative Employees Receive Certifications

SOUTHPORT – Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative is proud to announce that two of its employees, Jeremy Miles and Brennis Smith, recently received certifications from the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association.

Miles and Smith completed the Line Technician Apprenticeship Training Program.  Completing this program is a rather lengthy process.  In addition to four correspondence courses and three climbing, construction and operations laboratories, the training also consists of four years of on-the-job training under a lead line technician.

The four correspondence courses consist of independent study of math, electricity and alternating current fundamental principles that are the groundwork for understanding the “hows and whys” of this profession.  Students learn the basic tools and equipment used in everyday operations, as well as applications such as stringing and sagging wire; underground distribution systems; transmission and distribution line maintenance; transformer connections; meter applications; substation operations; and phasing and measuring voltage and current.  The three laboratories enable students to apply the knowledge learned from the correspondence units.  Participants learn basic knots and safe climbing techniques, as well as pole-top rescue, which are all climbing skills necessary for overhead line construction.  Students construct and frame lines using specifications and learn grounding and preparation of stress cones for underground cable.  Effective job briefing and basic troubleshooting steps for overhead and underground systems are demonstrated, as well as transformer banking, bucket truck pre-trip inspection and bucket truck rescue.  These laboratories last a week each, and Miles and Smith traveled to North Alabama to participate in them.  They were also required to take both written and physical tests.

Although not all electric cooperatives require that their line technicians be certified, Gulf Coast Electric does.  Having this training ensures that GCEC line technicians are using proper construction techniques and following safety procedures to prevent harm to themselves, coworkers and consumers.

“Gulf Coast Electric line workers are not promoted to the ‘Line Technician’ position title until they complete this certification,” Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative CEO/General Manager Roy Barnes said.  “Having this certification enhances not only employee knowledge, but also safety practices.” 

“I am proud of Jeremy and Brennis for their hard work and perseverance,” Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative Manager of Engineering and Operations Eudon Baxley said.  “Their commitment to completing this training certainly makes each of them an asset to the Cooperative.”

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative is part of the Touchstone Energy® national alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service to customers large and small.  GCEC serves approximately 20,500 consumers in Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Jackson, Walton and Washington counties and in the municipalities of Wewahitchka, Ebro, Lynn Haven, White City, Fountain and Southport.