Students receive hands on experience

Two students from Questar III took part in a three-day immersion program at National Grid facilities to help them gain a realistic understanding of the utility industry in which they might one day be employed.

Aaron Jackson, a Construction Technologies student from Chatham High School, and Joey Schrowang, an HVAC student from Catskill High School, participated in the program because they are both interested in becoming linesmen.

The students, who attend Questar III’s Columbia-Greene Educational Center in Hudson, took part in work-based learning initiatives as part of their academic programs and received training in electrical and gas fundamentals, including classroom and lab experience. The lab includes heating equipment and a mockup of an electric distribution system, complete with pole and wires.

Jackson was appreciative of the opportunity to receive hands-on training while at this program.

“It was informative for me to talk to people who actually work as linemen. It made me more comfortable and gave me the motivation to do it,” said Jackson.

Schrowang realized his interest in becoming a lineman when he worked for an electric company over the summer. He jumped at the chance to attend the three-day program through National Grid to gain further knowledge about the career opportunities.

“This was a great experience because I learned a lot about what I would do on the job. People will always need electricity so it’s a good career,” said Schrowang.

Both students plan on attending Hudson Valley Community College for Electrical Construction Maintenance after high school and then complete the lineman training from National Grid.

In addition to spending several hours at the Schenectady Learning Center, the students also visited National Grid’s eastern headquarters and the Eastern Region Control Center in Guilderland.

Daily Gazette story: http://www.dailygazette.net/standard/ShowStoryTemplate.asp?Path=SCH/2013/01/10&ID=Ar01300&Section=Local_News