For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — Marshfield Utilities’ Randy Ayer recently graduated from the four-year electric line worker apprenticeship program offered through Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire.

Ayer was one of 19 apprentices from utilities throughout Wisconsin and surrounding states who completed the apprenticeship program. They were recognized with certificates at the Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin/Rural Electric Cooperatives Joint Superintendent’s Conference in Wisconsin Dells.

The electric line worker apprenticeship program consists of four years of not less than 8,000 hours on-the-job training, and a minimum of 640 hours is spent in paid-related instruction. As an apprentice, Ayer completed the training to achieve his status as a journey electric line worker.

“We are very happy to see Randy complete his apprenticeship,” said Electric, Communications and Gas Manager for Marshfield Utilities Nicolas Kumm. “The training and knowledge he has received while in the apprenticeship program will help him perform highly skilled work on our electric distribution system.”

Ayer started with Marshfield Utilities as a summer helper in 2008 and worked in a variety of departments for three summers prior to starting full-time for his apprenticeship. He is also currently pursuing his associate’s degree.