Wolverine Power Cooperative and IBEW Local 876 Advance Apprenticeship Training

CADILLAC, Mich., May 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolverine Power Cooperative (Wolverine) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 876 (IBEW 876) have reached an agreement to continue utility worker apprentice training in the state of Michigan. The agreement marks a transition from the current Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program to the new Joint Michigan Apprentice Program (JMAP).

"Our previous program produced hundreds of model linemen and leaders over the past 30 years who make a critical impact on utilities and quality of life throughout the state of Michigan," said Eric Baker, president and chief executive officer of Wolverine Power Cooperative. "We look to build upon this foundation and deliver industry-leading training for the next generation of Michigan utility workers through JMAP."

The JMAP will be a U.S. Department of Labor-certified program committed to producing safe, high-quality journeymen through exceptional, state-of-the-art apprenticeship training. The program features smaller, segmented training labs and field instruction performed at a single location in northern Lower Michigan. All apprentices currently enrolled can transition to JMAP, remain on their current pace, and continue on-the-job learning from experienced journeymen.

"Training is very important to IBEW and our members," said Chad Clark, business manager at IBEW Local 876. "We are excited to continue working with the cooperatives on a joint program to produce high-caliber journeymen."

For classroom, lab, and field training, Wolverine is partnering with Northwest Lineman College (NLC), an industry-leading educational institution that provides pre-apprentice, apprentice, and journey-level training for hundreds of companies throughout the United States and internationally. Graduates of NLC are highly regarded in the power delivery industry.

Fall enrollment for JMAP begins in July. For more information regarding enrollment or utility participation in the program, please visit www.michiganapprentices.com.

About Wolverine Power Cooperative

Wolverine Power Cooperative is a generation and transmission cooperative serving the wholesale power supply and transmission needs of seven member-owners: Cherryland Electric Cooperative (Grawn); Great Lakes Energy (Boyne City); HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative (Portland); Midwest Energy Cooperative (Cassopolis); Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op (Onaway); Spartan Renewable Energy (Cadillac); and Wolverine Power Marketing Cooperative (Cadillac).

Learn more by visiting www.wolverinepowercooperative.com

About IBEW Local 876

Headquartered in Edmore, Mich., Local Union 876 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers represents over 2,000 members working for Cooperatives, Cities, Public Agencies and Overhead Line Contractors in 73 Counties in the State of Michigan. For over a half century, Local 876 has trained Linemen that serve the citizens in both the Upper and Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Local 876 members work in every form of Electrical Transmission and Distribution. Training the next generation of Electrical Linemen and Technicians is and always will be a core principle of the IBEW and Local 876.   

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SOURCE Wolverine Power Cooperative