On April 15, students from area high schools experienced first-hand what it is like to be a lineworker. Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative (CCEC), in partnership with Carteret County Public School's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program and Havelock High School, hosted 16 students that had expressed interest in learning more about what it's like to be an electric utility line technician at the co-op’s annual Line Technician Camp.

The goal of the camp is to provide students with a hands-on look at the industry by immersing them in the roles and responsibilities of electric utility line technicians. 

“We hope that this program helps to shape the next generation of line technicians,” said Michael Barts, CCEC Line Superintendent. “This camp is a unique opportunity for high school students that not only shows them the importance of line work but also that great career opportunities exist where they live.”

Under the guidance of CCEC line technicians, students tried their hands at various tasks, from putting on climbing belts and going up utility poles, to operating an excavator,  and building an overhead line. The students formed their own "crews" and completed a variety of jobs that lineworkers are tasked with daily.

The camp, now in its fourth year, has influenced several attendees from previous years to become line technicians; two CCEC line technicians at this year's camp previously attended as high school seniors.

“I participated in the camp as a student two years ago, and this year, I assisted with the overhead training demonstration,” said Lane Hartman, an apprentice line technician at CCEC. “This is a unique opportunity for the students, but it is also a great opportunity for the line workers. It gives us a chance to share our experiences and give advice to the students. I have only worked for CCEC a little more than a year but some of our linemen have been here 25+ years, so there is a lot of knowledge to share.”

CCEC holds the Line Technician Camp every spring. High school students interested in attending camp should contact their school’s Career and Technical Education Instructor.