Two Kankakee Valley REMC employees were among the 12 lineworkers who graduated from Indiana Electric Cooperatives’, Rural Electric Apprentice Program (REAP) in February.

Jesse Webb, a seven-year employee, and Chris Frank, a 10-year employee, both began their careers at Kankakee Valley REMC as groundmen in the operations department. Through their years of hard work and willingness to advance their careers, they were selected to begin their apprenticeship.

“Our cooperative is fortunate to have a great team of employees who work each day, keeping the lights on for our members,” said Dennis Weiss, CEO at Kankakee Valley REMC. “Linemen work rain or shine, no matter the weather. We applaud the hard work of Jesse and Chris and welcome them in their new positions as journeymen linemen for the cooperative.”

REAP is a four-year program that professionally trains apprentice lineworkers from across Indiana. Graduates complete 576 hours of classroom-related study and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training at their electric cooperative.

Students also complete four additional classes through Ivy Tech Community College. Upon completion of the program, graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science and a journeyman lineman certificate.