SWEPCO Celebrates Graduation of 18 Journeyman Lineworkers, Strengthening the Skilled Workforce Behind Reliable Power
SHREVEPORT, La. (Sept. 18) – Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) recognized 18 lineworkers Thursday who completed the company’s U.S. Department of Labor-accredited apprenticeship program and earned journeyman lineworker status. SWEPCO celebrated the graduates and their families with a luncheon honoring their significant career milestone, while recognizing the important role these skilled employees play in supporting the future of a safe, reliable power grid. During a graduation ceremony held at SWEPCO’s Midsouth Tower headquarters in downtown Shreveport, graduates were honored for successfully completing years of rigorous training, hands-on field experience and mentorship designed to prepare them for the challenges of building, maintaining and restoring the electric grid.
The newly recognized journeyman lineworkers completed 8,000 hours of classroom instruction and on-the-job training, developing the technical expertise and safety-focused mindset required to serve customers across the region.
The 18 graduates represent SWEPCO service territories across Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Graduates and their assigned service territory include:
Shreveport Service Territory: Eli Furqueron, Marshall (Trey) Good, Jacob Howell, Richard Humphrey, Seth Megil, Justin Mitchell and Isaac Rodriguez
Texarkana Service Territory: Mason Johnson, Cameron Powell, Hunter Thomas
Longview Service Territory: Jacob Bryant, William (Cade) Dixon, Jack Hacker, Ryan Hickman, Coleman Ivy, David (Trent) Ogle, Cristian Aguillon Padron, Garrett Walker
“These graduates have earned far more than a title,” said Brad Brown, technical training staff at SWEPCO. “They have demonstrated a commitment to safety, excellence and service through years of hard work and dedication. Every graduate has proven they can perform one of the most challenging and important jobs in our industry. We are proud of what they have accomplished and excited about the impact they will have in the communities we serve.”
Journeyman lineworkers play a critical role in ensuring reliable electric service, whether responding to severe weather events, restoring power after storms, maintaining distribution and transmission systems, or helping build the infrastructure needed to support future growth.
SWEPCO leaders, instructors, mentors and family members joined the celebration. The event included graduate recognition, certificate presentations and remarks highlighting the importance of developing the next generation of skilled utility professionals.
The company has trained hundreds of apprentices through its workforce development programs, creating a pipeline of highly skilled employees committed to safety, service and reliability. Through its accredited apprenticeship program, SWEPCO continues investing in employees who will help meet the region’s evolving energy needs while maintaining the high standards customers expect.
“Becoming a journeyman lineworker requires an extraordinary level of commitment, persistence and discipline,” Brown said. “These graduates represent the next generation of leaders in our field, and they are helping ensure we can continue delivering safe, reliable power for years to come.”
SWEPCO’s commitment to building the next generation workforce begins long before apprenticeship. Through existing partnerships with regional lineworker training schools, including North Louisiana Technical Community College (NLTCC) and Texas State Technical College (TSTC), the company is helping develop the skilled talent needed to meet the region’s future energy needs. Each of this year’s 18 journeyman graduates completed their initial lineworker training at TSTC before continuing their development through SWEPCO’s U.S. Department of Labor-accredited apprenticeship program.
About Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO)
Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), headquartered in Shreveport, Louisiana, provides safe, value-based and reliable electricity to more than 500,000 customers across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Through ongoing investments in grid reliability and energy efficiency programs, SWEPCO helps customers manage energy use and control costs. SWEPCO is an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company. Learn more at SWEPCO.com and explore energy-saving tips, tools, and rebates at SWEPCOsolutions.com. Connect with us by following Facebook.com/SWEPCO, Twitter.com/SWEPCOnews, Instagram.com/swepco, Youtube.com/SWEPCOtv and LinkedIn.com/company/swepco.