OEC’s Central Ohio Lineworker Training (COLT) program provides elite hands-on apprentice and journeyman lineworker training and is currently limited to lineworkers employed by one of Ohio’s 24 electric co-ops located across the state. Click here to obtain additional information on their specific hiring requirements and find a local cooperative in your area.

Located outside of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, adjacent to Consolidated Cooperative’s headquarters, the COLT training facility includes a 16-acre outdoor training field, which includes:

  • Outdoor overhead electric line system with four feeders and 50 wood pole structures
  • Underground open-loop system with three 3-phase risers and 20 cabinets/transformers
  • Storage building with concrete pad for line materials

In 2017, OEC opened a $1 million indoor training facility to supplement the outdoor training field. This addition includes

  • 19 poles under roof — for working energized and de-energized exercises on 3-phase line and single-phase lines, while working out of a bucket or climbing.
  • Energized underground open-loop system with pad-mounted electrical equipment
  • Specialized training stations replicating actual equipment used in cooperative systems
  • Exhaust system allowing for indoor operation of diesel-powered trucks and equipment
  • In-floor radiant heating system
  • Advanced technology to enhance learning, utilizing iPads, transformer and grounding simulator boards, online learning platforms, and specialized apps. 

Click here to view COLT's full curriculum booklet.

TechCred

Ohio's government created the TechCred reimbursement program to help employees use technology effectively. 

What is TechCred? 

Ohio's TechCred Program empowers employers to upskill their current and future workforce for today’s technology-driven economy by providing direct financial assistance for training. This workforce initiative helps employers develop in-demand technical skills, strengthen talent pipelines, and enhance the overall competitiveness of Ohio’s economy.

Click here to view TechCred's program guidelines, terms and conditions, frequently asked questions, and to apply. TechCred's eligible credentials list can be found here.