Twelve lineworkers graduated Saturday from Indiana Electric Cooperatives’ apprenticeship program, Rural Electric Apprentice Program (REAP).

2017 REAP Graduation Class. Left to Right: Vance Stwalley, Warren County REMC; Adam House, Heartland REMC; Nicholas Barker, Tipmont REMC; Troy Burton, Newton County REMC; Jesse Webb, Kankakee Valley REMC; Chris Frank, Kankakee Valley REMC; Tyson Jones, Carroll White REMC; Matthew Huck, NineStar Connect; Mason Quickery, Jay County REMC.

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.

“Lineworkers are the backbone of our operations and their dedication to the member-consumers of Indiana’s electric cooperatives is outstanding.” said Tom VanParis, CEO of Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “We are proud to have these hardworking individuals as part of the cooperative family.”

This year’s graduates are:

• Nicholas Barker, Tipmont REMC
• Troy Burton, Newton County REMC
• Ryan Butler, Electricom, Inc.
• Chris Frank, Kankakee Valley REMC
• Albert Hawkins, Kosciusko REMC
• Dan Hoch, Indiana Electric Cooperatives
• Adam House, Heartland REMC
• Matthew Huck, NineStar Connect
• Tyson Jones, Carroll White REMC
• Mason Quickery, Jay County REMC
• Vance Stwalley, Warren County REMC
• Jesse Webb, Kankakee Valley REMC