Checking in with Lineworkers Hired from the Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Three months after being hired out of PEC’s inaugural Pre-Apprenticeship Program class in Kyle, Apprentice Lineworkers Eli Craig and David Reyna can confidently say the program prepared them for the real deal.
Craig didn’t know much about linework ahead of applying, but he knew he wanted to pursue a career that was hands-on and didn’t require sitting at a desk every day, so he decided to give it a shot.
Since being hired from the program, Craig has been grateful for how well it prepared him for the role. He noted it gave him a detailed look into what goes on in the field and how best to respond to different situations and assignments.
“It’s a really good program, especially in a job like this where there’s so much to learn,” he said. “It’s good for people to come in and see if they like it themselves before getting into it.”
Reyna, a Seguin native, was hired out of the program at the same time as Craig. He had been looking for a job at PEC for a while, and when he learned of the Pre-Apprenticeship Program, he decided to pursue it. After just two weeks into the program, he knew this was exactly what he wanted to do.
“I fell in love with it,” Reyna said. “It’s all interesting at first because different electrical utilities teach things differently. I even catch myself looking up other organizations just to see how they do it.”
While he felt the program prepared him well for the full-time role, he noted that prospective lineworkers will only get out of it as much as they put in.
“As a pre-apprentice, you aren’t doing as much as the full-time lineworkers, but you can push yourself and seek out extra work,” he said.
For those looking to enter linework, Reyna said the job is rewarding if you put enough into it, but there will be times when you must be willing to make sacrifices. “It’s a great career if you really want it,” he said.
Craig echoed the same sentiment and added that there’s never a dumb question when starting out.
“I tell the pre-apprentices, while it probably feels overwhelming right now, we all start somewhere,” he said. “Just ask questions because everybody wants to help. Try to enjoy it and learn as much as you can, and take it day-by-day and understand your role.”
About the Program
The Pre-Apprenticeship Program aims to recruit local high school graduates into paid positions to receive training and determine if a career as a lineworker is right for them. This creates a pathway for those interested in joining PEC as a lineworker apprentice 1A and beginning their journey toward becoming a journeyworker.
To be eligible, candidates must meet the same minimum qualifications and physical demands as those included in the lineworker apprentice 1A job description, including having a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver’s license, and reliable transportation to the district office. Pre-apprentices work as contractors through a staffing agency for 40 hours a week for up to three months.
During this time, they gain basic experience serving as a groundhand and seeing firsthand what being a lineworker entails. Pre-apprentices are evaluated by district operations on various criteria, including dependability, work ethic, teamwork, communication, and retention of basic knowledge of linework. Pay is $22 per hour, with the opportunity to earn a full-time position with benefits working for PEC as a lineworker apprentice 1A.
PEC has hired six apprentice lineworkers from the program since its inception, four of whom were hired in the Kyle district and two in Bertram. Kyle has three other pre-apprentices starting the program in late August.
If the program continues to be successful, PEC plans to expand it to other districts and make this a standard process for hiring many of our lineworker apprentice 1As. Interested candidates should send their resume to [email protected].
