Graduates Honored
Hoosier Energy Apprenticeship Training and Safety Program
EnergyLines November 2017
Leaders of the Hoosier Energy Apprenticeship Training and Safety (HEATS) program honored the 38th graduating class on Oct. 20 at the French Lick Resort. Five apprentices from Hoosier Energy and 12 from member distribution cooperatives received diplomas marking the completion of the program.
The nationally recognized training program requires non-indentured graduates to complete 576 hours of classroom instruction. Indentured graduates are also required to complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training as well as earn an Applied Science Associate Degree from Ivy Tech.
Dave Helton is part of the safety and training team at Hoosier Energy and the HEATS program. During the graduation ceremony he reminded graduates of an important safety message.
“We have taught you to always wear your personal protection equipment. But the best thing we have concerning safety is each other. Always watch out for one another at all times in both the simple and complex jobs,” said Helton.
Since its inception in 1975, the program has graduated 638 apprentices. Early in the program, HEATS focused on training line workers. Over the years, courses were added and the curriculum now includes training for distribution and transmission meter-relay technicians and linemen as well as substation personnel, power plant maintenance mechanics, electricians and instrumentation and control technicians.
Linemen Program Graduates
Caleb Meyer – Hoosier Energy, Indentured
Tyler Powell – Henry County REMC, Indentured
Clint Schroeder – Clark County REMC, Indentured
Eric Seibert – WWV REMC, Non-Indentured
Scott Strange – Orange County REMC, Indentured
John Worland – Hoosier Energy, Indentured
Johnathan Herbert – RushShelby Energy, Indentured
Wes Jones – Henry County REMC, Indentured
Ian Kindler – Southeastern Indiana REMC, Non-Indentured
Matthew Busald – RushShelby Energy, Indentured
Jacob Durcholz – Dubois REC, Indentured
Brandon Bambusch – Orange County REMC, Indentured
Ronald Barnhart – Southeastern Indiana REMC, Non-Indentured
Substation Mechanic Program Graduates
Jared Bartlett – Hoosier Energy, Indentured
Rick Mauder – Hoosier Energy, Non-Indentured
Randy Franklin – Hoosier Energy, Indentured
Meter Relay Program Graduate
Eric Faulkenberg – Southern Indiana Power, Indentured
