Page 5 - Norris Electric News April 2022

Trevor Nitzel was hired by the District, as an Apprentice Lineman, following his internship. He continues to work for the District as a Journeyman Lineman in Centerville.
DISTRICT NEWS 5
addition, Norris provides job shad- ow opportunities for youth from area high schools so these students have a glimpse as to what a job may entail for areas of interest.
Norris’ proactive and engaged approach for being prepared to fill open linemen positions has proven to be beneficial. However, Norris is challenged occasionally when required to fill other District positions as acknowledged by Governor Ricketts and the Nebraska Chamber. Norris customers can be assured that Norris will hire new individuals who will continue the tradition of excellence for our customers.
Spencer Weishahn began working at the District in 2016 as an Apprentice Lineman in Centerville. He now works as a Journeyman Lineman in Beatrice.
Norris works closely with North- east Community College in Norfolk and Metropolitan Community Col- lege in Omaha by offering summer internship opportunities for future linemen. The summer internships help the students fulfill graduation requirements and enables the stu- dents to gain industry experience and learn about Norris’ operations and culture. In the meantime, Norris benefits from the assis- tance needed through the summer months. Over one-half of the Dis- trict’s current linemen previously interned with the District.
The relationship Norris has with the two community colleges ex- tends even further as Northeast Community College provides safe- ty training for Norris employees through an arrangement with the Nebraska Rural Electric As- sociation. Trevor Wehrer, Norris Manager of Operations and Safety,
volunteers to periodically perform mock interviews with utility line students at Metropolitan Commu- nity College and provides them with feedback so they are better prepared for actual interviews when they apply for full-time line- man positions. In addition, Norris sponsors an annual lineman schol- arship for a student who has been accepted into an accredited Utility Line Program at Northeast Com- munity College or Metropolitan Community College.
Public power districts offer excel- lent career opportunities for indi- viduals with interest in a number of career fields. To communicate the opportunities with area youth and to gain their interest in these career opportunities, the District sponsors youth who participate in the Youth Energy Leadership Camp in Halsey, Nebraska and Youth Tour in Washington D.C. In
MARCH/APRIL 2022