Make up to $40/hr by learning this electrical trade, First step: attending an open house

GWINN– The Midwest Skills Development Center held an open house this afternoon aimed at showing prospective students the ins and outs of working as an Electrical Line Technician.

Current students and instructors showed anyone interested in this line of work what its like to do the job on a daily basis. The ELT Program takes students one year of training to complete. One of the benefits of the program is the amount of money you can make right out of the gate.

“The starting wage here in the Midwest is $25–26 an hour, so these students when they leave here, if they get into the trade, they will have a good paying job,” said Jerry LePage, an instructor at the school. “The top end is around $40 an hour, so it is very family sustaining,” LePage added.

“I think its fun being up in the air. It doesn’t bother me that much, said Christian Liberty, a student at the school. “I’ve always been into extreme sports my whole life, so it’s not much different.”

The 1 year program gives students a good start on becoming a Journeyman Lineman, which requires more education and training. The ELT Program is a joint effort between NMU, the Lake Superior Community Partnership Foundation and the skills center.