OSUIT and Electrical Industry Training Institute Announce Historic Agreement
Together at the agreement signing were: Front Row, Dr. Bob Klabenes, OSUIT president; Phil Davis, EITI executive director. Back Row: Gene Nunn, OSUIT High Voltage instructor; Mark Hays, OSUIT Economic Development and Training Center manager; Anita Gordy-Watkins, OSUIT’s vice president of University and External Relations; Steve Olmstead, OSUIT’s Construction Technologies division chair; Kerry Van Sickle, EITI director of finance and operations; Larry Byhre, EITI board member; Mike Cannon, U.S. training consultant.
(Okmulgee) — Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSUIT) and the Electrical Industry Training Institute, Inc. () have signed a collaboration agreement that will provide leading-edge training for workers in the electrical industry throughout the United States.
The agreement will provide for coordination between OSUIT and for training of electrical linemen, power plant and substation operators, electrical power engineers, and electrical utility workers. OSUIT and will share training responsibilities, curriculum and instructors to train workers from a variety of electrical utilities and rural electric cooperatives. Classes will be held on the OSUIT campus in Okmulgee.
“This agreement will allow OSUIT to greatly expand its capability in the training of incumbent workers in the electrical power industry,” according to Dr. Robert Klabenes, president of OSUIT. “The OSUIT associate in applied science degree in high voltage and power plant technology is seen as the leading credential for entry-level workers. Now, partnering with will allow for state-of-the-art training for incumbent workers in the electrical power industry as well.”
Since 1991, has trained thousands of electrical utility industry personnel throughout the world. Executive Director Phil Davis says he’s excited about the possibilities for the OSUIT/EITI collaboration. “We have heard about the OSUIT programs for many years and how the institution turns out world-class electrical line workers,” Davis stated. “This is a tremendous opportunity for and OSUIT to work jointly to increase training opportunities for incumbent workers and deliver the most up-to-date, hands-on education to those workers.”
The two organizations are also working to implement a short-term Lineman Career Preparation Certificate program which will provide an introduction to individuals interested in pursuing careers in the electrical utility industry.
“We understand there is substantial interest in jobs in the electrical utility industry, and this program will allow participants to receive an overview of the mental and physical qualities needed to succeed,” Davis said. “EITI and OSUIT will be delivering a core set of courses for electrical utility workers, but we will also continuously be working to develop new courses as industry need arises.”
Training for electrical utility incumbent workers will begin in Spring 2011 on the Okmulgee campus. “Demand for training is substantial among utilities as new safety requirements and upgrading of infrastructure requires constant skill upgrades among workers,” Klabenes stated. “OSUIT and are confident this collaboration will meet the needs of the electrical utility industry.”
Updated 01-05-2011
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