Akey component to the efficient and reliable operation of American Electric Power's (AEP, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.) energy-delivery facilities is its highly skilled, versatile work force. With an electrical system the size of AEP's — 186,000 miles (299,000 km) of distribution line, 38,000 circuit miles (61,000 km) of transmission line and associated facilities stretched across more than 197,000 sq miles (510,000 sq km) in 11 states, serving almost five million customers — it is essential that every employee is well trained. One of AEP's desired outcomes from its training programs is to dispatch an employee to virtually any situation, anywhere in the AEP service territory and immediately be able to deliver the work needed by the specific situation.

AEP develops and administers comprehensive training programs that progress employees from entry-level skills through journey-level status and beyond. It offers curricula in five progression areas:

• Distribution line mechanic
• Distribution underground network
• Transmission line mechanic
• Protection & controls (P&C) technician
• Station electrician.

Formal training includes several weeklong sessions of extensive instructor-led classroom instruction, hands-on work at indoor and outdoor training facilities, and traditional on-the-job training. Such training continues over a period of four or more years, depending on the progression.

AEP Develops Curricula

While it is difficult to pinpoint when its training program began, AEP has evolved, expanded and refined the program over many years. In its early years, AEP offered only on-the-job training. As the work became increasingly complex and as standards, procedures and safety measures became more formal and demanding, so did the training programs.

In the case of its transmission line mechanic progression, training programs were the natural result of AEP's contribution to ultra-high-voltage transmission technology. When a company helps develop and is the first to operate a technology, it goes hand-in-glove that it becomes a leader in maintaining that technology. AEP worked with EPRI to develop procedures for working on 345-, 500- and 765-kV lines.

“We have fully redeveloped our transmission mechanic, P&C technician and station electrician programs in the past 10 years,” explained Jeff Friend, manager, training & administrative support, Transmission Services. “We asked a group of experienced mechanics, electricians and technicians to define all of the tasks employees perform. Then we defined all of the components employees need to complete those tasks.”

AEP engaged a consultant to help write the guidelines and manuals for those tasks, which became the basis for the transmission training programs in use today.

AEP has studied numerous training options at various times throughout the years. It has looked at purchasing prepared programs and at outsourcing its training needs. To date, AEP has concluded that its in-house programs continue to best serve the company's needs.

“Some of the programs we have evaluated are very generic to serve multiple companies. They don't get into some of the specific configurations we have on the AEP system. We feel that our training programs need to reflect our safety philosophy, standards and procedures,” explained Floyd Schulte, manager-technical training, equipment & processes, Distribution Technical Training.

“We have standardized our procedures as much as possible and have validated our training program across all 11 states of our service territory,” said Schulte. “We have received input from our most experienced line mechanics across the AEP system to validate the technical skills we teach. The result is a training curriculum that meets the developmental and performance needs of today's line and network mechanics.

“Safety is a priority in every learning module of our program,” Schulte said. “AEP's safety rules are built into our program from the beginning; we know that employees are learning the safe way of completing a job because we incorporate AEP safety practices into every procedure.”

Multiple Approaches To Learning

AEP's distribution mechanic, transmission mechanic, station electrician and P&C technician training programs feature up to four distinct presentation and application opportunities:

• Self-directed learning modules that include software-based and manual-based formats

• Instructor-led classroom presentations that allow participants plenty of opportunity to ask questions

• Hands-on training at the indoor and outdoor energized training yards

• On-the-job training at the employee's assigned work location, where mechanics can apply their new skills to real job activities.

AEP believes that the hands-on and on-the-job aspects of its training are crucial. “Our main objective is getting their hands on the tools and equipment,” said Friend.

While safety is always the driver behind each step of procedures taught through AEP's skills training programs, other factors influence the variety of offerings. In today's electric utility industry, in-service lines generate income for transmission owners. This is an attractive payback for AEP's transmission training program, which teaches both live-line tool and barehand methods. Both methods minimize the need for service interruption, while providing the ability for crews to safely perform maintenance on energized lines.

As utilities seek to keep lines in service, not only for their own local customers but for wholesale transactions spanning long distances, the need for performing maintenance while the transmission lines remain in service is increasing. “We were among the first in the industry to develop the barehand method and place it in practical use,” Friend said. As a pioneer in these methods, it stands to reason that the company is a leader in teaching them.

“Both methods are very safe,” Friend added. “But crews must be alert and keep safety in mind at all times. That's precisely the way our training program teaches mechanics to do it. The most important thing is the job briefing,” he continued. “It is extremely important that everyone participates in this briefing and everyone understands it. The line crew members must be absolutely sure of what role they will play in this procedure.”

In the distribution mechanic programs, employees begin by learning about tools and skill sets such as pole climbing and rigging. Throughout the progression, students learn to work on increasingly higher voltages, starting at 120/240-V services and up to 69-kV subtransmission voltage.

AEP also provides advanced and refresher training to distribution employees who have attained the highest levels of the progression programs. Advanced training for veteran A-level mechanics and supervisors includes advanced troubleshooting, transformer theory and restoration plus voltage regulator safety. This advanced training is available on site at the operations center, as trainers have laptop computers, projectors and simulators.

A feature of AEP's distribution line mechanic program is its three-to-one student to instructor ratio for the hands-on portion of the training. In addition to its distribution training professionals, AEP uses “guest” instructors — active line mechanics with outstanding job performance and leadership skills. Local supervisors identify guest instructors — a role of honor.

AEP's training staff consists of skilled and seasoned former line mechanics, station electricians and P&C technicians. “We look for employees with experience and knowledge and who are well-versed in the skills, who can speak well and who have demonstrated the ability to train,” said Friend.

Program Benefits

AEP's training efforts represent a investment in each employee, an investment AEP believes will pay back over an employee's tenure with the company. Depending on the progression, each employee attends several weeks of formal training the first year and returns for one to two weeks of additional training every six months during the their first four years.

AEP mechanics begin with basic electricity, introductory skills and safety. By the end of their respective programs, employees have acquired advanced understanding and application of the electrical theory that supports equipment operation. In fact, at some of the training facilities, mechanics can earn Department of Labor certification and leave with the knowledge and skills training comparable to some technical degree programs.

“This intensive and comprehensive training produces a more versatile employee. Because employees know the theory behind the procedures, they are prepared to trouble shoot and solve problems on the job, without having to wait for assistance,” Schulte said. Employees who are less specialized and more versatile can be dispatched to any job anywhere, including mutual assistance work, and are able to effectively address the work needs.

Rachel Hammer is a manager in AEP's corporate communications department, supporting the company's regulated energy delivery and power generation businesses. In her 22 years with AEP, she has held a variety of communications posts in areas including internal communications, customer information, advertising and customer choice education. An accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America, she holds a master's degree in Communications from Ohio University.

AEP Mechanic Training Programs

Training Staff

Distribution	Transmission/Station
2 Administrative/Managerial Employees	1 Administrative/Managerial Employee
2 Designers	Support Staff
1 Support Staff	5 Training Coordinators
13 Trainers
Guest Instructors

Training Centers

Distribution	Transmission	Station
Abilene, Texas	Columbus, Ohio	Columbus, Ohio
Bay View, Texas	Corpus Christi, Texas	Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana	Lakeville, Indiana
Groveport, Ohio	Roanoke, Virginia
Sand Springs, Oklahoma
Roanoke, Virginia