Energy Fundamentals : Lineworker Training

Program Overview

The Energy Fundamentals program is the result of a collaboration among several partners, notably Boyne City Public Schools, Char-Em ISD, and three prominent utility companies: Great Lakes Energy as the lead entity, with strategic support from Consumers Energy and DTE. While the program is housed in Boyne City, it is open to any student in any district throughout Char-Em ISD, as are all CTE programs.

The pre-apprenticeship program, for juniors and seniors, is a two-hour daily course for one full school year. Students learn basic yet essential concepts of working in the electrical field while developing skills and knowledge to work as a lineworker installing and repairing overhead lines. Students will learn about gas and electric transmission and distribution, quality control, nuclear and non-nuclear generation, academic competencies in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), among other topics. Students will prepare to take the Energy Industry Fundamentals certification test. Training takes place in the classroom and at the Great Lakes Energy headquarters in Boyne City.

This partnership with Great Lakes Energy provides students with access to instructors directly in the field while still learning the standards set forth by the State of Michigan in this area. Students who successfully complete the program will be ready to apply directly to possible employers for an apprenticeship. Similarly, students may choose to attend a pre-apprenticeship program with a regional community college.

View the Energy Fundamentals: Lineworker Emphasis Video