Two Tipmont REMC lineworkers, Sam Headlee and Eli Smith, alongside eleven others from around the state, graduated Saturday, Jan. 28, from Indiana Electric Cooperatives’ apprenticeship program, Rural Electric Apprentice Program (REAP).
Both Smith and Headlee have been with Tipmont since February 2012. Smith is based in the northern service territory while Headlee is based in the southern territory. Five other Tipmont apprentice lineworkers are currently enrolled in the program.
“Lineworkers are the fundamental piece of operations and their commitment to Tipmont’s membership is outstanding.” said Scot Price, Operations Manager for Tipmont REMC. “We are proud to have these dedicated individuals as part of the Tipmont family.”
REAP is a four-year program that professionally trains apprentice lineworkers from across Indiana. Graduates complete 576 hours of classroom-related study and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training at their electric cooperative. Students also complete four additional classes through Ivy Tech Community College. Upon completion of the program, graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science and a journeyman lineman certificate.
The other program graduates are:
- Dustin Baker, Boone REMC
- Christopher Ennis, Marshall County REMC
- Evan Flora, ElectriCom, Inc.
- Gerald (Jerry) Garcia, Noble REMC
- Zane Gray, Noble REMC
- Nick Iden, Kosciusko REMC
- Josh Maggart, Miami-Cass REMC
- Thomas Maroney, Miami-Cass REMC
- Cole Morrow, ElectriCom, Inc.
- Brady Miller, Heartland REMC
- Justin Nesius, Jasper County REMC
