The COLT training center has announced the graduation of 27 apprentices who began their training in 2020. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the center, along with electric cooperatives across Ohio, maintained operations to ensure safety and continued education.
Cohort 20 initially included 30 apprentices divided into four groups. Of these, 27 have successfully completed the program's requirements, which include 12 weeks of apprenticeship classes and training, 600 hours of Related Technical Instruction (RTI), and demonstrated proficiency in over 80 hands-on gradable stations. These graduates represent 12 Ohio cooperatives.
"We at the COLT training center, along with all the electric cooperatives from around the state, worked diligently to keep the doors open so safety and training could remain at the core of everything we did," a spokesperson for COLT stated.
As these new lineworkers join their peers across Ohio, COLT also welcomes a new cohort for 2024. Eleven new hires began their training in spring, with an additional sixteen starting in fall.
"The COLT team takes great pride in the opportunity to work with all the journeyman and apprentices around the state. Thank you all for the trust to allow us to do so," added another representative from COLT.
For further inquiries or communication with instructors at COLT, emails can be sent to COLT@ohioec.org.