The Journey to Develop and Grow a Substation Construction and Maintenance Business while working IBEW Members
In early 1997 I made the move to own my own business which was a major step in my life. After developing a pretty detailed business plan I set out to move forward to take the most riskiest step of my life. And then I ran into an owner of a small electrical business in Chattanooga, TN that said he wanted to retire and planned to either close the doors or sell the business that he owned. We had a couple of meetings and then shook hands on a deal for me to acquire SERVICE ELECTRIC Company. In June of 1997 I moved to Chattanooga to do just that.
During that time we had a few small crews made up of a mixture of Wireman and Lineman as well as a few apprentices. The pool of resources mostly came from the Chattanooga IBEW Local that was an inside/outside local. The concept of using both Inside and Outside classifications worked well until it didn’t. The issue of a Lineman waiting on the big line job hit us at the wrong time as well as the Wireman waiting for the opportunity to work inside and not in the hot or cold climates most Substations reside in. This issue restricted us to the type of work we bid and the type of customers we worked for since we never knew if we would have enough help for the task at hand or not. The aggressive nature I pride myself in did not like the issue of being controlled by this situation. That said, I set out to develop a program and classification just for Substation work.
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Online Math Class
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The opposition to this was tremendous to say the least. I heard more complaints about fractionalizing the industry, taking our
3rd Year OH Online Class Substation Online Class
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Substation/URD FTS Class
April 29-30, 2024
CDL Testers @ SELCAT
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work and so on and so on. The taking of work was from those that wanted to be in a Substation when the weather was perfect, not to hot and not too cold. Regardless I went door to door visiting IBEW Vice Presidents, Apprenticeship folks from top to bottom and so on. I was also at that time very active in both inside and outside apprenticeship programs so I did my politicking with them every chance I had I was very aggressive and also very frustrated with the progress I was making. At one meeting with a couple of hundred industry folks when the then NJATC Director was speaking I raised my hand and asked him what he could tell me about our quest for Substation Program. His answer was “I know a Substation has a fence around it and we need to stay out of it”.
I took that comment to the top of the IBEW chain and at that time I started to get help Before long I had a couple of IBEW VP’s and the new NJATC Director on board to move forward. Our Southeast Line Chapter Executive was also always supportive and helping with the mission. The NJATC Director then assigned one of his key people Steve Anderson to the task. Steve and I became joined at the hip so to speak and started forming committees with industry experts and ultimately wrote our first of many Substation Technician Program instruction books Today we now have a full blown program and most all of the Training Programs incorporate this in the day to day business of our electrical industry. Also around that time we had what I will call the “Enron Wave” that took the Substation Construction business to a new level. We had more large projects than we had ever had in years before. The start of transitioning to a Substation Tech Program while still making use of the Inside/Outside concept allowed many contractors to capture that work while it lasted. As our program with SELCAT developed so did our training facility While on the SELCAT Board at the time, another vision I pushed for was an “Electric City” with actual overhead and underground lines entering and exiting an actual substation. That concept exists today and many of our apprentices are being trained at that facility. To say that the Substation Technician program is a success would be an understatement. It has become one of the most used programs for Union Apprentice facilities throughout the country.
The SELCAT program today averages plus or minus 125 active Sub Tech Appentices and maintains an average of just over 200 applicants wanting to get into the program. Since adopting the program SELCAT has had over 150 complete the program and move on to become a true Substation Technician. This has all happened with the help of some great folks that have developed and maintained the highest quality training program ever.
Our industry today be it Transmission, Distribution, Underground and Substation Construction is at its all time high I can’t say enough about how proud I am of all the Safety, Training and Crew folks that are performing this work. This is the greatest industry ever and has the greatest people working in!
A Letter from SELCAT’s Assistant Executive Director
Mr. Luke TylerNew Year Outlook
As we enter the new calendar year, it is natural to reflect upon our past accomplishments and aspirations for the future. The opportunity to set new goals and embark on a fresh journey is enticing.
Opportunities for Growth
Despite some challenges, the new year presents ample opportunities for growth and development in the powerline trade and should lead to increased job opportunities for skilled workers in the electrical industry. As more power lines are installed and maintained, there is a greater demand for qualified line workers and technicians to ensure the safe and efficient transmission of electricity. This growth also highlights the importance of ongoing training and certification programs to keep up with the evolving technology and safety standards in the field. Our goal at the apprenticeship is to provide aspiring professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the powerline trade. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and realworld experience, we aim to empower individuals to reach their full potential and launch successful careers.
In conclusion, the new year holds the promise of change, progress, and new possibilities. As individuals, organizations, and governments navigate the evolving landscape, it is essential to embrace innovation, adapt to change, and seize opportunities for growth. By staying informed, adaptable, and proactive, we can shape a better future for ourselves and our communities.
Rubber Gloves- Test rubber gloves before the issue use and every 6 months thereafter.
TestingIntervalsforProtective
EquipmentandLive-LineTools
Line Hose, Hoods, and Hot Jumpers- Before first issue and upon indication that the insulating value is suspect.
Rubber SleevesBefore first issue and every 12 months thereafter.
Rubber Blankets- Before first issue and every 12 months thereafter.
Hot Line Tools- Remove from service every two years for examination and cleaning. Testing required for wooden tools. Testing required for FRP tools if repaired or refinished, or for defects that could cause the tool to fail in use.
