NLC Our Style - V 1.0

OUR STORY The history of Northwest Lineman College (NLC) begins in 1991, when two of its three founders— Gerald McKie and Aaron Howell (both Boise State University linework trainers at the time)—realized that a more modern program needed to be developed. They decided the best course of action would be to establish a private linework college, dedicated to providing the finest educational offerings known in the industry. To help realize this endeavor, Howell approached fellow lineman Shane Porter, NLC’s third founder. McKie brought extensive trade and training experience to the table; Howell and Porter also had considerable experience, in addition to degrees in business and engineering, respectively. The three began designing NLC’s Electrical Lineworker Program (ELP)—a modernized, student-focused approach to linework training. After two years of research and development, Northwest Lineman College was founded in April 1993, opening its doors to the first ELP class in August that same year. The new approach was well received, drawing considerable attention from the industry’s best and brightest. In 1997, Alan Drew—a lineman, engineer, and one of the industry’s foremost experts on linework operations and history—joined ranks. Drew contributed immediately, formalizing overall operations of the college, which led to national accreditation in 2000.

Drew also captured the true spirit of NLC in establishing its mission: to provide The Benchmark Standard of Training. In 2006, Mike Hennesey, an NLC alumnus, joined ranks. Mike’s contributions have been significant and include: playing a key role in the opening of our Oroville, CA campus, the development of an on-campus apprenticeship training program, and the establishment of the Utility Training Services Department now known as the Mobile Training Division. His commitment to the benchmark standard of safety and training has been unwavering. Dedication to providing top-notch educational offerings has never waned. NLC now produces safety and training products for the industry, including modern training videos, and continually explores and implements cutting- edge technologies in its program offerings. It also applies sound andragogical methodologies in its design. In 2018, NLC was proudly acquired by Quanta Services, which has provided the opportunity to expand NLC’s offerings to include Natural Gas Distribution, Telecom, and Mobile Training Services. The foundation established so many years ago is stronger now than ever before, and Northwest Lineman College’s commitment to its students and the industry remains unwavering.

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