Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) is proud to announce that lineman apprentice, Chase Reeser, has successfully completed his apprenticeship through and Northwestern Technical College (NWTC) and is now officially recognized as a Journeymen Lineman by the State of Wisconsin. 

This achievement marks the culmination of more than 8,000 hours of classroom instruction and on-the-job training over a four-year period, though Reeser worked closer to 10,000 before his program finished. The journeymen certification is an important milestone in the career of an electrical line worker, demonstrating extensive technical skills, knowledge, and field expertise. 

As a graduating high school senior, Reeser was awarded the Line Work Scholarship PPCS offers. He completed his Electrical Power Distribution course at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) and then began a self-study apprenticeship.  He transferred to NWTC about halfway through his apprenticeship.

Reflecting on his time as an apprentice, Reeser says, “The last year of book work was the hardest part of the process, but my favorite part of the job is getting to work outside every day.” Linework is one of the most demanding jobs, both physically and in terms of critical responsibility. They are responsible for building and maintaining infrastructure that delivers safe, reliable electricity to homes, farms, and businesses across PPCS’s service areas. 

Reeser offers his words of wisdom to those starting their apprenticeships: “If you don’t get the job you are looking for right away, don’t give up and keep trying. It’s not often you can get into a Co-op right away, and I was one of the lucky ones.”

PPCS remains committed to workforce development and training programs that equip employees with the skills needed to meet the growing demands of the energy industry. 

Congratulations, Chase, on this hard-earned accomplishment!