In June, EPUD awarded $15,000 in scholarships to five local students through its annual EmPOWERing Scholarships program! In recent years, the utility has seen a substantial increase in applications submitted by students pursuing fields of study seen regularly in the electric utility industry. Through the scholarship program, each of the recipients will receive $3,000 to assist with the cost of training that may lead to utility careers in the future.
Congratulations to the 2023 scholarship winners!
Jaiden Pattee is pursuing a career as a utility lineman. He excelled during his training at VOLTA Line School in Warrenton, and is very determined and prepared for the hard work ahead of him as he continues on this career path. Jaiden has many skills and has previously worked as a farm operator, construction worker, and mechanic. We know he will be a great asset to electric utility industry!
Cole Rehberger is also pursuing a career as a lineman. Before deciding on this career, Cole worked as a ranch hand, where he drove heavy equipment, prepared fields, and moved irrigation equipment. Cole enjoys the outdoors and loves living in Oregon where the mountains and ocean are just a short drive away. He looks forward to an exciting career working outdoors and keeping the power on for his community.
Garett Foglio knew he wanted to be a lineman after participating in a job shadow with an EPUD line crew. He wasted no time in putting the wheels in motion and quickly enrolled at VOLTA Line School. Garett hopes to work with a utility like EPUD in the future because he values the community involvement, low rates, reliable electricity, and environmental stewardship that public utilities offer.
Lucas Harris decided on a lineman career soon after graduating high school and began his training at Northwest Lineman College in March. He knows several linemen and through talking with them, he was already familiar with several aspects of line work, utility equipment, and working in the field. He looks forward to continuing his training and gaining experience until he reaches his goal of becoming a journeyman lineman.
Kurt Perini is currently attending Western Oregon University and hopes to start a career as a tree trimmer in the future. He has completed a number of accounting and business classes, but also enjoys getting his hands dirty. He has gained experience at home with trimming branches and clearing berry briars, and has also shadowed an EPUD lineman. Kurt considers himself a “people person,” and he takes pride in his passion to help others.
EPUD’s EmPOWERing Programs
The electric utility industry employs a broad range of people with widely varying skills and trades, including line work, tree trimming, engineering, energy efficiency, accounting, communications, graphic design, information technology, customer service, human resources, and many others. EPUD offers two EmPOWERing programs to help students and adults decide if a utility job is right for them, and get the training needed to achieve that career!
EmPOWERing Job Shadows - Job shadows and ride alongs are available in the line work and tree trimming departments. For all other departments, please contact us to check availability or visit www.epud.org/jobshadows to learn more.
EmPOWERing Scholarships - Each year, five $3,000 scholarships are available to those starting or continuing college or trade school education as well as adults seeking second career training. Visit www.epud.org/scholarships to learn more.