Insights > Work Boots on the Ground

Work Boots on the Ground

By:

11/10/2015

Entergy Texas President and CEO Sallie Rainer takes time during ceremony to meet with families of graduates.

Latest group of linemen apprentices ready to report for duty in Texas and Louisiana

Entergy is officially nine linemen stronger with the addition of the graduates from the 2015 Apprentice Linemen Training Boot Camp. The graduation ceremony took place Nov. 5 at the Beaumont Service Center. Theo Bunting, group president for utility operations and Sallie Rainer, Entergy Texas president and CEO attended the ceremony and delivered remarks.

The company's newest linemen come together after receiving graduation certificates.

Entergy's strategic imperative Transform the Organization focuses, in part, on managing talent, and that starts on day one for new hires going through the boot camp at the Helbig Training Center in Beaumont.

The fall of 2015 class includes: Elliot C. Burrell, Gonzales; Trent M. Daigle Baton Rouge; Douglas M. Hammer, Port Arthur; Cody D. Henderson, The Woodlands; Derick L. Herring, Conroe; Dillian P. Messer, Lafayette; Chance W. Preston, Winnie; and Donald R. Scarborough and Paul A. Smoak, both of Lafayette.

Four graduates received individual honors during the ceremony. Scarborough was recognized as most improved, Messer as best climber, Preston as most safety conscious and Paul Smoak for his overall leadership skills.

In reflecting on the boot camp experience, Daigle said that the first time he and the other trainees climbed up the pole, they were only allowed to go up 10 feet. On their next outing, they were allowed to travel the entire 45 feet up the pole.

Only going to the next level when they're comfortable with the equipment and properly trained will ensure that their career at Entergy is not only a long one but a safe one. Guest speaker Michael Hendon, technical skills training manager, estimates that through the course of their career at Entergy, the company will have invested around $750,000 in education and training for each of the nine graduates.

Vernon Pierce, Entergy Texas customer service vice president, ventured from his prepared remarks to impart advice that current Entergy employees told him to share with the new graduates. Although a somewhat bold proclamation to someone just beginning their career, they implored them not to be intimidated. Pierce said "Feel free to say no, you could save someone's life."

Now that they've graduated from the program, these new employees will go to their home offices in Texas and Louisiana to continue their four-year journey to becoming journeymen linemen. There, they'll begin on-the-job training and the certification process.