Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week

November 17–23, 2024

Apprentice programs go back as far as ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where young people were trained in the trades of the day. Lineworker apprenticeships are a relatively new addition, and MMUA is proud to provides an innovative four-year apprenticeship program that helps new lineworkers learn the skills they will need both for the present and the future.

Currently there are 35 apprentices from 21 utilities participating in MMUA’s program. Through our partnership with Northwest Line College, they complete their bookwork using nationally recognized resources. Our “we come to you” model for hands-on training provides two important benefits: the chance for apprentices to work side-by-side with one of MMUA’s expert trainers on their home system, as well as providing the utility with important project assistance and maintenance through our program. The apprentices come together several times a year at MMUA’s Marshall-based training center to gain skills on additional equipment and to interact with others going through similar training. The photograph above is from one of those training events in 2024. Learn more about the MMUA apprenticeship program here and join us at the Technical and Operations Conference in December when this year’s apprenticeship graduates will be honored.

In 2023, MMUA became the official lineworker apprenticeship sponsoring organization recognized by the Minnesota Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Minnesota program for lineworkers in Minnesota. This allows MMUA to assist the industry in the development of lineworkers in a broader way. 

In honor of Apprenticeship Week , the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship is hosting an event to discuss the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships. Register for the webinar here.