Midwest Energy
- Lives in Oakley, Kansas.
- 4th year apprentice.
- Currently building a few miles of 34.5 kV with 7620 underbuild.
- Considers a good attitude as the key for success.
- Having the experience of operating farm equipment on his family’s ranch helped him in his job in the line trade.
- Currently, the crews’ best new tool is the electric staple gun, which has saved hours of stapling per day.
- Sees a constant growth in electrical demand as the future of line work.
Inspiration to Work in the Trade
I was very interested in the line trade because of multiple people including my father’s friends and brother. By the time I was a sophomore in high school, I had made up my mind that I was going to be in line work.
Getting His Start
I worked for a year at a grain and fertilizer co-op to save up for Northwest Lineman College in Denton, Texas. I applied to my current spot in Oakley, Kansas, before I graduated and have been at Midwest Energy since.
Training on the Job
At Midwest Energy, we primarily work on OHD and URD transmission, OHD and URD distribution and substations. About 99% of the training for me was in the field. For book work, I was in online Red Vector classes.
Challenges in the Trade
Getting a start at a good place would be the hardest part. I was lucky enough to find a great company with great journeymen and foremen.
Transforming Apprentice Training
My company is currently changing how apprentices are trained. Because I’m about to top out, I probably will not be a part of this new training. Even so, I would say more training equals safer work environments. We do not currently have a training center, but the apprentice trainer is working on a few things.
Working a Storm
My first big storm work was from a 100-mph+ windstorm in western Kansas. This caused multiple fires to spark up and burn everything in its path. Work conditions were 10° weather with high winds blowing piles of ash over everything. It made it hard to breathe. It felt great, however, to get customers’ power turned on for Christmas.
Achieving Work-Life Balance
My favorite part of Midwest Energy is the balance that it gives you in between your work life and personal life. Sometimes we’re very busy, but a lot of the time I’m home before 5 p.m.
Staying Safe in the Field
I advise other apprentices to not get complacent and to give your surroundings immediate attention. Also, the best thing for safety is to truly know what you are working on. In my opinion, the more knowledge you have of the electrical system, the safer you’ll be.
Looking to the Future
In five to 10 years, I would like to be working with the same people and helping to train future apprentices.
Editor’s Note: Theron Tucker will be featured in a future "Faces of the Future" Line Life Podcast series at linelife.podbean.com. If you would like to nominate an apprentice for Faces of the Future, please email Field Editor Amy Fischbach. All profiled apprentice lineworkers will receive a tool package from Milwaukee Tool.
