Co-operative Education

Poles and Partnerships: Valuable Assets

August 28, 2018

Windsor, ON:  An innovative pilot project developed by ENWIN has increased public safety through the visual inspection and testing of over 9,000 powerline poles in Windsor.  This co-operative education initiative in partnership with St. Clair College provided placements for four First Year Powerline Technician students from the Thames Campus.

The students were trained in visual inspection techniques, pole drilling and testing, environmental impact and material stress identification, and worked with ENWIN's engineering staff to provide location information and samples of poles that required attention.

"The pilot project has been a resounding success," said Grant Pennington, Director Hydro Distribution. "We've been able to provide these First Year students with training in the field, while also addressing a significant need for the utility." 

Matthew Alzner, Brendan Beattie, Jordan Blackmore and Jordan Pittman are set to return to school in September for their graduating year of the Powerline Technician program.  Since 2013, ENWIN has offered 13 St. Clair Powerline Technician graduates full-time apprenticeships and offered an additional eight undergraduates (First Year students) summer work placements.

Click the link below to watch a video featuring this project and the students.