Photos: Nancy Davis, apprenticeship manager at Ivy Tech, presents diplomas to Ryan Cassidy (left) and Clint Heeke. 

The Hoosier Energy Apprentice Training and Safety program (HEATS) produced its 40th class of graduates in November. The program provides line, meter and substation specialists with specialized training that develops technical skills and safety excellence.

The 2019 class included 21 indentured apprentices and 14 non-indentured employees. Southern Indiana Power had two graduates, Ryan Cassidy and Clint Heeke. Both Cassidy and Heeke have been with the cooperative for four years and were awarded their journeyman lineman certificate. Cassidy also received recognition for having the highest GPA of the class. 

Line, meter and substation indentured apprentices all have to complete 576 hours of classroom instruction and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. Indentured graduates also take four college-level courses to earn an Associate of Applied Sciences degree from Ivy Tech. 

“Hoosier Energy is proud to offer this comprehensive safety and training program, not only to our members, but to organizations across the state,” said Chris Blunk, vice president of corporate services. “Our goal is to make sure all participants receive the proper education to do a quality job and arrive home safely each night.”