REAP graduates include in front from left Joe Banfield, Apprenticeship Training program director, IEC; Jonathan Hyatt, Electricom; Josh Taylor, Utility Service Crew; Dylan Hart, Carroll White; Sam Whitaker, Hendricks Power; Jordan Kaiser, Daviess-Martin; Nathan Ramaj, Electricom; Tyler Coffelt, Northeastern; and Adam Hartman, Northeastern. In the back row are Austin Morgan, Electricom; John Abbott, Electricom; Phillip Stonecipher, Electricom; Chris Myers, Jasper County; Cole Walters, Fulton County; Cole Griffin, Parke County; Spencer Marxmiller, Veedersburg Municipal; Dakota Souza, Arc Electric; Kayle Hutson, Warren County; Hunter Allee, Parke County; Alex Kerley, Electricom; and Matt Beasley, Newton County. Not shown are Chase McClure, Electricom; Daylan Caplinger, Electricom; Manny Alvarez, Hendricks; and Austin Turner, Middlebury Electric. Photo provided by IEC.

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — Austin Turner, Middlebury Electric, was among the 24 lineworkers who graduated Saturday from Indiana Electric Cooperatives’ apprenticeship program, Rural Electric Apprenticeship Program.

REAP is a four-year program that professionally trains apprentice lineworkers from across Indiana. Graduates complete 612 hours of classroom-related study and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training at their electric cooperative. Students also complete four additional classes through Ivy Tech Community College. Upon completion of the program, graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science and a journeyman lineman certificate.

“Lineworkers are the backbone of our operations, and their dedication to their communities and the consumers of Indiana’s electric cooperatives is outstanding,” said Jon Elkins, vice president of safety, training and compliance at Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “We are proud to have these hardworking individuals as part of the cooperative family.”

This year’s graduates include:

• Austin Turner, Middlebury Electric
• Tyler Coffelt, Northeastern REMC
• Adam Hartman, Northeastern REMC
• Cole Walters, Fulton County REMC