San Juan, Puerto Rico, December 7, 2022 – Today, during ceremony at the LUMA College for Technical Training Palo Seco Campus, and in partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 222, 15 LUMA lineworkers were awarded the first U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Journey-level Certification in Puerto Rico’s history for completing their rigorous coursework in LUMA College’s upskill program. As former utility workers at the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), the 15 awardees joined LUMA’s workforce and enrolled in LUMA College’s upskill program to become eligible for the U.S. Department of Labor Journey-level Certification.
“We are very excited to be partnering with the IBEW Local 222 in awarding this important U.S. Department of Labor Certification to this first class of Journey lineworkers. These qualified and dedicated lineworkers have answered the call to modernize and transform the electric system in Puerto Rico and today we celebrate their significant accomplishment,” said Lawrence Kazmierski, LUMA Senior Vice President of Operations.
Journey-Level Lineworker Certification
Journey lineworkers are the highest ranking lineworkers in the electric utility industry and are responsible for handling the most complicated transmission and distribution work. To be certified at this level, trainees completed over 1,000 hours of mentorship in the first upskill courses ever offered in Puerto Rico, taught by industry-leading instructors with decades of experience in training, disaster response and field work.
“Partnering with LUMA to ensure that these 15 outstanding IBEW members achieved the Journey-Level Lineworker Certification is a testament to our joint commitment to training the best workers, so that they can better help build and restore Puerto Rico’s electrical transmission and distribution grid,” said Hector Reyes, Business Manager for the IBEW.
LUMA College for Technical Training
LUMA College has been focused on preparing the next generation of lineworkers the people of Puerto Rico can rely on to rebuild and transform the current electric grid. To date, LUMA College has provided:
- Over 34,000 hours of technical training courses,
- Multiple training courses including: the Utility Lineworker Apprenticeship Program, Upskilling 1 & 2 programs, Human External Cargo (HEC) operations, rigging, crane operations, load/cargo securement, and more.
“At LUMA College, we are working every day to provide industry-leading educational opportunities to Puerto Rico’s utility workforce. Today is a special day as we celebrate the first class of federally certified Puerto Rican Journey lineworkers to join LUMA’s workforce and continue their important work of supporting LUMA’s 1.5 million customers,” said Juan Vargas, President of LUMA College for Technical Training.
About LUMA:
LUMA is a Puerto Rican company that, since June 1, 2021, operates and manages the electric power transmission and distribution system in Puerto Rico. LUMA is a company driven by a mission to transform the electrical transmission and distribution system to provide all Puerto Ricans with the reliable, resilient, cleaner, and affordable electrical grid they deserve. As a customer-centric company, LUMA’s entire workforce of more than 3,000 employees is focused on safely delivering an exceptional customer service experience to its 1.5 million customers.
About LUMA College for Technical Training:
LUMA College for Technical Training provides industry-leading educational opportunities for companies and individuals in charge of rebuilding electric power infrastructure in Puerto Rico. LUMA College is fully funded by Quanta Services and ATCO’s commitment to a sustainable Puerto Rican workforce. Since 1993, Northwest Lineman College (NLC) has grown to nearly 300 employees with 4 campuses across the United States, where it trains more than 8,000 individuals each year, and has a network of more than 1,000 employers. LUMA College provides industry-leading educational experiences for companies and individuals tasked with rebuilding Puerto Rico’s electric power infrastructure.
About International Brotherhood of Electric Workers (IBEW):
The IBEW represents approximately 775,000 active members and retirees who work in a wide variety of fields, including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government. The IBEW has members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and stands out among the American unions in the AFL-CIO because it is among the largest and has members in so many skilled occupations.
