From the latest edition of the City of Bartow Week in Review, the weekly newsletter authored by Laurie Hayes, Director of Communications:
The City of Bartow proudly honored two outstanding members of its Electric Department this week as Colton Bone and Aaron Griner officially advanced from Apprentice Line Workers to Journeyman Line Workers.
A special ceremony brought together Electric Department colleagues, City Manager Mike Herr, Commissioner Trish Pfeiffer, and other city team members to recognize the pair’s hard-earned achievement and welcome them to their new roles.
According to Michael Poucher, Director of the Electric Utility, the demanding Apprentice Line Worker program spans four full years and includes:
- Four years of on-the-job training
- 104 hours of structured classroom instruction
- Completion of 40 educational modules totaling 367 hours
Poucher emphasized the true nature of the lineman profession—around-the-clock on-call responsibilities and the inherent hazards of working with live electricity—and extended heartfelt appreciation to the families who attended the event for the many personal sacrifices they make to support these critical team members.
Bone and Griner’s names have now been permanently added to a prestigious plaque that already bears the names of seven other individuals who have successfully completed the program. As Journeyman Line Workers, they join the City’s essential first-responder team responsible for keeping power flowing reliably to homes, businesses, and essential services throughout Bartow.
Their advancement further strengthens the Electric Department’s capacity to deliver safe, dependable electrical service to the entire community.
SOURCE: City of Bartow Week in Review by Laurie Hayes
