POWERGRAMS

4 "This is where the buck stops – with a career." On April 22, several Power Delivery linemen and other employees shared the message that Alabama Power provides good jobs in the skilled trades – and hundreds of youngsters and high school students listened. The annual SkillsUSA Conference and Career Expo meeting at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex focused on more than 30 segments of skilled trades, including construction; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); welding; and other electric work. Alabama Power and Southern Company's Workforce Development groups joined forces to explain jobs that are crucial to the business. "I'm a hands-on kind of guy," said James Perkins, lead lineman at 12th Street Crew Headquarters. "I enjoy the interaction with the guys on the crew and I enjoy helping customers. It brings hope to the customer when you come in and restore power. My wife and kids love to hear the stories about storm restoration – how we climb the poles and run the buckets." Perkins and John Regal answered dozens of questions from students while demonstrating the use of line equipment and gloves. "I'm emphasizing the job security aspect and sharing information about the electric industry," said Regal, local operations lineman for Patton Chapel Crew Headquarters. Like Perkins, Regal attended college but didn't find the right career fit. "I never had the opportunity to attend programs like SkillsUSA," said Regal, who began his Alabama Power career at 22. "If I had known about this career right out of high school, I would have pursued it right after graduation." Alabama Power's demonstration drew about 100 visitors within the first hour of the conference, said 12th Street Engineering Supervisor Mark Usry. "We showed them the skills and work: how to open and close a switch, tie a wire in and use the tools," Usry said. Workforce Development Specialist Tom McNeal said it's crucial for the company to take part in SkillsUSA and share employment opportunities with the future workforce. "If we're not preaching the message about the skilled trades, other industries will sell their message, and ours will be lost," McNeal said. "Our recruiters are very busy trying to recruit the right people and fill jobs. We want to get eighth- through 12th- graders educated about our careers." HVAC Training Center Manager Joel Owen drove home the need to fill jobs in his industry, which is slated to lose 85,000 workers in the next 10 years. Owen talked with students about taking classes at the HVAC Training Center. Gordo High School junior Cameron Matyjasik was in his element as he took part in Alabama Power's line crew demonstration. "It's my dream job," said the 17-year old. "When I was in sixth grade, I saw an Alabama Power lineman going up a pole, on spikes, and driving a massive truck," said Matyjasik. "If that's what we'll be doing every day, I'd love it. I like being outside, I like climbing." Matyjasik would like to combine a line-crew job and a military career. Motioning to the Alabama Power display, he said, "I want to end up here, no matter what happens." Hewitt-Trussville instructor Albert Neny guided his students – David Johnston, Austin Vickers and Jazmine Johnson – to Alabama Power's display. A former local operations lineman at the company for 21 years, Neny created his school's Electrical Construction Academy in 2008. Johnston spoke with Talent Acquisition Recruiting Consultants Jeremy Foshee and Justin Hogsett about utility assistant and plant auxiliary pay and job opportunities. Foshee gave Johnston a sheet with job requirements and recommended training at Wallace Community College in Dothan and Calhoun Community College in Decatur, which would position the senior for a line-crew position. "This is what I want to do after I graduate May 19," Johnston said. "It was really interesting to see the gloves the linemen wear and work with the different tools to take apart the line." Johnston, who will receive National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) credentials as part of his coursework, said his family hopes he'll pursue a skilled trade. Vickers, a senior, said that working with his hands – rather than behind a desk – is appealing. "I want to see what I want to do with my life," the 17-year old said. Vickers' top career choices are diesel mechanic, electrician or welder. Johnson, Hewitt-Trussville's first female to complete Neny's class with NCCER and OSHA 10 credentials, enjoyed the demonstration. "It gave me a taste of putting knowledge and teamwork together – what it takes to get the job done," she said. "To me, electric- utility work is a way to help the community. There's a very high possibility I'll do a skilled trade such as becoming an electrician. I'm up for a challenge and being here today has opened up some possibilities for me." By Donna Cope Employees coach students at SkillsUSA EDUCATION Employees demonstrated safety measures during conference at BJCC. Photo by Nik Layman

• Cover