IBEW Local 1319 breaks ground on cutting-edge training center in Pringle
Apr. 21—PRINGLE — State legislators on Monday said the new 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art training facility for current and future generations of skilled electrical lineman with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1319 will allow training to happen throughout the year — complete with live simulations mimicking actual weather conditions that the linemen will face in working to restore our utility resources.
State and local officials, led by Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-Dallas Township, Sen. Marty Flynn, D- Scranton, and Rep. Jonathan Fritz, R-Honesdale, gathered in Pringle Borough for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the $9.75 million project that was boosted by a $1.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Grant, which the legislators were on hand to present.
"When powerful storms keep people indoors, linemen must go out to restore lost power," the legislators said in a joint statement. "This work can be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken, and if workers are not adequately prepared. The electrical linemen from IBEW 1319 perform a critical and difficult service to keep and maintain the electrical grids that provide utility service across our region."
The training facility will include indoor space for climbing, bucket work and grid training, a mezzanine and catwalk for instruction and observation and classrooms for splice training and hands-on work.
It is expected that between 30 and 60 apprentices will be trained each year, while ongoing training will be provided for 80 active members.
"This is a great asset for our community, not only in the Pringle area, not only Southern Luzerne County, we're talking about the entire region this affects," Flynn said. "People from all over this country, all over North America, are going to come to train at this facility.
"It's an investment. It's worth it. It really is worth taking tax dollars and putting it forward here to invest in the people of our area and to bring them a skilled trade in the unions," he said.
Robert J. Reilly, IBEW Local 1319 Business Manager and Financial Secretary, said Monday was an historic day for IBEW Local 1319 and its membership.
"Our new training center will help to further education and training as we continue developing the most highly skilled journeymen linemen in the country," Reilly said.
In 1990, the IBEW's Occupational Safety Health and Education (OSHE) Trust Fund was established to place an emphasis on safety and training for any lineman working in the IBEW Local 1319 jurisdiction, which includes 32 counties along the northern border of Pennsylvania.
While the facility was constructed in 2016, the new center will improve training and safety outcomes.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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