CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Adopt the Resolution Authorizing Execution and Approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement for an Apprentice Employee Program between the City of Naperville and the City of Geneva.
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DEPARTMENT: Electric Utility
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Curran, Electric Utility Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The Electric Utility has experienced difficulties in filling vacated journey line electrician (linemen) positions. This is mainly due to ComEd actively completing improvements to their electrical system by $2.6 billion over a 10-year period as part of the Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act (EIMA) enacted by the Illinois General Assembly in October 2011. ComEd and their sub-contractors have attracted and hired most of the qualified linemen in Illinois because of the amount of work to be completed and an extensive amount of overtime for linemen. ComEd is projected to continue making extensive improvements to their electrical system over the next several years.
Faced with this hiring challenge, the Electric Utility determined an apprenticeship program would be a means to attract, train, and maintain linemen. The utility conducted a successful apprenticeship program in the early 1990's which resulted in the training and retention of qualified linemen which has helped to provide the citizens of Naperville with safe, reliable, efficient, and high-quality electric service.
DISCUSSION:
During CY2017 Electric has collaboratively worked with other city departments, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 9, the American Line Builders Apprenticeship Training (ALBAT), the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), and the City of Geneva to develop a new and improved apprenticeship program to meet the needs of the city.
Apprentices hired into the program must first participate in and successfully complete a rigorous 3-week apprenticeship school program sponsored and conducted by ALBAT. Appre...
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