Over 60% of our current journeymen linemen learned on the job through Cherryland’s 7,000 hour apprenticeship program.

Faced with looming retirements, we’re using them to help us train the next generation of journeyman.

Meet a few of the men who will help us keep the lights on for the next 78 years.

Joe Bennetts – A Family Legacy

I grew up in Traverse City and am a second-generation Cherryland lineman. My dad retired from a 35-year career here last year. I’ll be finishing up my apprenticeship this year and I love that each day comes with new obstacles and challenges. I thrive on the creativity it takes to work through problems. And, to top it all off, my ‘office’ most days is the shores of Lake Leelanau or the bluffs of Lake Michigan. I can’t complain about that!

Most people have no idea what it takes to keep the lights on, it’s gratifying to do our jobs so well that our members can take electricity for granted. I think it’s awesome how all of our employees will drop whatever they’re doing in their personal lives to restore power during outages or storms. We have a really close-knit community and I truly enjoy my workmates.

Brandon Hartley – An Evolving Cherryland Career

As a graduate of the Kingsley High School class of 2000, I discovered pretty early that I needed a job that let me work outdoors. I had one indoor job in a warehouse and I only made it two weeks.

I first came to Cherryland five years ago as a cable locator. As a locator, I worked several storms with our line crews. I saw what they did and I liked it. When I first decided to apply to the apprentice program, I was a little worried I would miss the autonomy I had working solo as a locator. But, one and a half years later I find I really enjoy being part of a team and working with my crew each day. Plus, I like running the big red trucks!

David Lark – The Newbie

I’m Cherryland’s newest apprentice, but not for long because we are hiring several new apprentices this spring. I grew up in Kingsley and have been an apprentice at Cherryland for about a year.

I like line work because it is never boring. I never know what’s in store when I get to work each day. Sometimes we are working outside in the most beautiful weather and place on earth and sometimes we are faced with treacherous conditions. I am challenged mentally and physically on a daily basis. But, I am inspired by getting to do a job that not a lot of people can do. Becoming a journeyman lineman isn’t easy, but I look forward to the challenge.