Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) is proud to announce that two of its linemen apprentices, Brent Paulson and Brady Schommer, have successfully completed their apprenticeships through Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) and are now officially recognized as Journeymen Linemen by the State of Wisconsin.

This achievement marks the culmination of more than 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and classroom instruction over a four-year period. The journeyman certification is a significant milestone in the career of an electrical lineworker, demonstrating a high level of technical skill, safety knowledge, and field expertise.

“Looking back at it, [the process] is humbling... It’s rewarding at the end of the day.” said Paulson on his experience as an apprentice in the field.

Linework is one of the most physically demanding and critical roles in the electric utility industry. Journeymen linemen are responsible for building and maintaining infrastructure that delivers safe, reliable electricity to homes, farms, and businesses across PPCS’s service area.

Schommer offered advice to those just starting out: “Stick with it. It took me six years to get an apprenticeship. There were quite a few times I was going to quit and do something else, but I’m glad I didn’t.”

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

Congratulations to Brent Paulson and Brady Schommer on this well-earned accomplishment!