Mayfield Electric & Water Systems (MEWS) linemen Geoffrey Beck and Drake Oliver visited students in the advanced electricity class at the Mayfield-Graves County Area Technology Center (ATC) today to discuss what their jobs involve on a daily basis, what kinds of training and experience they have, and offered advice on how the students can prepare for careers in the electrical field.
The visit was coordinated by the Power in Partnership program, a partnership between the ATC and Graves County Economic Development (GCED) that brings professionals to the classroom to share their expertise and offer career advice.
“It’s great to see young people excited about pursuing careers in the electrical industry,” said MEWS Electric Operations Manager Clint Woodward “We offer practical advice about job opportunities, how they can take the next step with additional training or apprenticeships, and how to succeed once you land a job. As a municipal utility, MEWS is focused on service, and this is one more way to put that commitment into action.
Mayfield Electric & Water Systems is a publicly owned utility, governed by The Electric Plant Board-City of Mayfield, serving 5000 customers in the city of Mayfield. MEWS provides customers with high-quality electric, water, wastewater, and internet services at the lowest possible prices. They are one of 153 local power providers in the TVA network.
"We are very thankful that local companies like MEWS are willing to pull employees from their jobs to have them come and invest knowledge in our students,” said ATC Principal Josh Heisner. “My favorite part of today's presentation was when a student asked the linemen whether employers placed more value on applicants who have graduated from a lineman school or those who've completed an apprenticeship. This sparked a discussion on how both are valuable, but each carries different weight, depending on which pathway into the electrical industry the individual is pursuing."
“The electric trade is one of the fastest growing employment segments,” said GCED President Jason Lemle. “There is growing demand in the utility industry due to an aging workforce and renewed focus on grid expansion and reliability and employment for electricians is projected to grow around 10% over the next ten years.”
“The ATC is providing a framework for young people to fill those jobs and Power in Partnership is giving the jobs a face and a name they can relate to. It’s important that we help students make those connections and MEWS is a valued partner in that effort. We’re grateful for their support,” Lemle added.
The ATC’s electrical technology program is designed to help prepare students for entry-level electrician positions in industry and the building trades. Students participate in layout, assembly, installation, testing, and maintenance of electrical circuits, apparatus, and residential wiring activities. Training involves electrical theory and electrical codes currently used in industry.
The ATC is located on the Mayfield High School campus and educates students from Mayfield Independent Schools, Graves County High School and Carlisle County High School.