Mayor Suttle Applauds Local Electrical Workers
Mayor Jim Suttle today joined Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, State Labor Commissioner Catherine Lang, and representatives of the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Locals 22, 265, 231 and 1525, and the National Electrical Contractors Association at the grand opening of Nebraska’s first Wind Power Training Facility, only the second like it across the country.
“This is not your grandfather’s windmill,” Mayor Suttle joked in his remarks. “This new wind power training facility will help take us to the future in developing a new, viable source of energy.”
IBEW Business Manager Gary Kelly said that local electrical unions and apprenticeship programs are prepared to produce a highly trained, well-educated and safety conscious workforce for an emerging wind energy market. Local officials led guests on a tour of the facility’s modules, that include: climbing, tower rescue, CPR, first aid, OSHA training, cable splicing, and a specialized code of excellence program. The first training courses will begin the week of October 19th.
