HARRISBURG – State and local officials, led by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) and Reps. Jonathan Fritz (R-111) and Brenda Pugh (R-120), gathered today in Pringle Borough for the ceremonial groundbreaking of a 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art training facility for current and future generations of skilled electrical lineman with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1319.
The facility is a $9.75 million project and was boosted by a $1.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Grant, which the legislators were on hand to present.
“When powerful storms keep people indoors, linemen must go out to restore lost power. This work can be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken, and if workers are not adequately prepared,” the legislators said. “The electrical linemen from IBEW 1319 perform a critical and difficult service to keep and maintain the electrical grids that provide utility service across our region. This new facility will allow training to happen throughout the year – complete with live simulations mimicking actual weather conditions that the linemen will face in working to restore our utility resources.”
The training facility will include indoor space for climbing, bucket work and grid training, a mezzanine and catwalk for instruction and observation and classrooms for splice training and hands-on work. It is expected that between 30 and 60 apprentices will be trained each year, while ongoing training will be provided for 80 active members.
“Today is an historic day for IBEW Local 1319 and its membership,” said Robert J. Reilly, IBEW Local 1319 Business Manager and Financial Secretary. “Our new training center will help to further education and training as we continue developing the most highly skilled journeymen linemen in the country.”
In 1990, the IBEW’s Occupational Safety Health and Education (OSHE) Trust Fund was established to place an emphasis on safety and training for any lineman working in the IBEW Local 1319 jurisdiction, which includes 32 counties along the northern border of Pennsylvania. While the current facility was constructed in 2016, the new center will improve training and safety outcomes.
CONTACTS:
Jennifer Wilson (Baker)
Melissa Fox (Fritz, Pugh)