10 Apr 2017 Conway Corp employees earn national certification

Conway Corp Electric Department employees Nathan Ball, Jake Ballard and Travis Lauer were recently promoted to Journeyman Lineman after successfully completing a four-year apprentice program through the Missouri Public Utility Alliance.

The program requires classroom, correspondence and hands-on training with monthly and annual exams on electric curriculum, including overhead and underground systems; safety; pole climbing, installing and mounting; conductors, transformers and substations; and equipment operation.

The employees were required to attend hands-on immersion skills training workshops including a week-long session for pole climbing, pole top rescue and bucket truck operation at the National Utility Industry Training Fund facilities in Kansas City. Workshops included the fundamentals and experience necessary to qualify lineworkers in pole climbing as well as bucket truck essentials.

Having completed the program, they logged more than 7,200 hours of on-the-job training and are now certified U.S. Department of Labor Power Journeyman Linemen.

Their commitment to the intensive program helps give Conway Corp the ability to provide a high-level of dependable electric service.

Dedicated and highly-trained employees are one of the reasons Conway Corp has been recognized by the American Public Power Association with the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation. An RP3 designation recognizes Conway Corp as one of the best electric providers in the nation for consistently providing Conway residents with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service.

RP3 designations are awarded based on four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement. Criteria within each category are based on sound business practices and represent a utility-wide commitment to safe, reliable and forward-thinking operations.

Before entering the program, Conway Corp requires candidates to serve as a groundman for at least two years. Lauer started with the company in April 2007, while Ball and Ballard started with Conway Corp in 2011. All three entered the apprentice program in 2013.   

Currently, three employees are going through the certification process. Cory Cox is in his third year as an Apprentice Lineman. Si Anthony and Lance Heer are in their second year of the program.