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| June 2005 Electrician Trainees Span Generations "Going back to school isn't so easy." When most people outside the coal industry hear the word "electrician," they think of a guy repairing the wall receptacle their coffee maker is plugged into. In coal mining, an electrician is a walking storehouse of knowledge and skills. Their repair skills include burning and welding, hydraulics, diesel mechanics in addition to electrical and electronic troubleshooting. The book side of their skills include reading intricate wiring diagrams and blueprints as well as memorizing hundreds of MSHA's laws, which is required before they can even attempt the difficult task of earning their electrical card. With the current expansion of JWR's mining operations, the need for more electricians is critical. The Training Center's Electrician Trainee Program has been resurrected and competition is keen to be selected into their 12-month program. Three electrician trainee classes are filled per year through the UMWA bid process with typical classes having between 6 and ten students. "Any JWR employee has a chance to be in the program but must pass an entry evaluation first," says long-time instructor Larry Jordan. "Only about 40% pass the tests and many try several times before they make a passing grade." "The students actually have to pass three different evaluations," says Junior Hayes, Maintenance Training Supervisor. "They have an electrical aptitude test, a mechanical hands-on test and a classroom test to see how well they follow written directions," continues Hayes. "Even after they have been accepted into the program, they are not guaranteed they will earn their electrical card. During the first five-week course, if they don't maintain at least an 80% score on their exams they are sent back to the mines as an ISL on owl shift." After completing the five-week course at the Training Center, the trainees come back for one-week classes each month for a year. When they go back to the mines between the classes, they work alongside certified electricians, gaining valuable hands-on-experience. At the end of their 12 month training, the trainees must pass MSHA's test to earn their electrical card, certifying them to do all types of maintenance work underground. The test is given after four-days of review at the Training Center. An MSHA official is present during the test and is responsible for the grading. Randy Stone, 49, graduated high school in 1974 and didn't crack a book 
until he began JWR's Electrician Trainee class. "The first day of class I
realized it would take a lot of studying," says Randy, a 26-year employee
of No. 7 Mine. "It's a real challenge but I am so proud I made it into the
class. Some of my co-workers have tried to get into class and couldn't
make it. I have to give my family a lot of the credit for me not only
getting into the class, but for keeping me in it as well."My wife Cathy, has really supported me in this because she knew this is what I always wanted to do," says Randy. I've been a roofbolter, a ram car operator and a de-gas driller but have always helped the electricians when there was a problem with the equipment. I could never get in the program when I first went to work for JWR and was really happy when they started offering classes again." "I live in Arley, near Smith Lake, and drive 68 miles one way," continues Randy. "I used this time each day to go over in my mind all of the things we were learning. Work on diesel engines came natural to me but learning the AC electrical codes and theories with all of the math gave me fits. After dinner I would study until 10:30 PM with the help of my family. My daughter Monica, just graduated from college and helped me with the math and my 16 year-old son, Nate, helps as well but mostly just gives his old man some good natured ribbing. This program is wonderful and I can't wait to get my electrical card." Reginald Beverly, 29, has no relatives in the coal mining industry but knew that's where he wanted to work. "I had seen some shows on TV 
about coal mining and was intrigued by the entire operation. After my
first trip underground, I found out it was nothing like I thought it would
be. But it did make me want to learn more about the industry."Reginald had only been with JWR at No. 7 Mine for six months when he bid on the electrician trainee position. His background made the evaluation relativity easy for him. Reginald had studied electrical engineering at both the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) and worked for seven years as a commercial electrician. It didn't hurt that his wife, Tamekia, is an electrical engineer and teaches at ITT Tech. "It wasn't that long ago I was in a classroom setting," says Reginald. "Some of the information we covered in the five week class was like a refresher course. I went home and dug out some of my old textbooks and studied them too. The electrical parts of the program have come easy to me and I love math. It's memorizing all of the laws on permissibility that takes a lot of time to learn. To do well in this program it takes a lot of studying after class. There is no way you can pass just by coming to class and not doing your homework. Since my wife teaches electrical engineering and I am learning hands on, it makes for quite interesting conversations. Tamekia is really interested in seeing how the theories she teaches applies to the workplace." "I heard a lot about this program before I applied," says Reginald. "I heard it was one of the best in the coal industry and I think I must agree. There is so much room for advancement at JWR. Once I get my electrical card, I can go in many directions. I am not stuck in just one occupation. I'm looking forward to what JWR has to offer and what I can contribute to make this a strong industry." |
These
Electrician Trainees are installing a power pack (engine & drive train)
into a ram car that will be used back at a JWR mine.
Click photo for larger image
Left to right: Joseph Belcher - No. 4 Mine; Philip Ingram - No. 4 Mine; James Sims - No. 7 Mine; Patrick Watson - No. 7 Mine and Reginald Beverly - No. 7 Mine.
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