The 2019 CARILEC Linesman Symposium and Rodeo culminated on a high note for the Anguilla Electric Utility Company Limited (ANGLEC) which captured the number one spot in both the Experienced (more than 5years experience) and Apprentice (5 years and under) categories. Photo: Provided

This is according to a release from the company which states that most notably, 2019 marks Anguilla’s first time participating in the annual symposium and rodeo. Anguilla pushed last year’s winner – St. Lucia Electricity Services Ltd (LUCELEC) into the second spot in both categories. In the Experienced category, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) took third place, while the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) captured 3rd place on the Apprentice category.

2019 registered still another record with the participation of the first female line-worker to date - Toniann James, of Williams Electrical out of Saint Lucia.

This year’s rodeo comprised of 17 teams, (11 experienced, 6 apprentice category) and a total of 51 participants from 11 utilities and one contractor – Williams Electrical, the sole private firm. The rodeo, which took place on Saturday, April 20th was the climax of a weeklong training symposium and tools exposition co-hosted by St. Kitts Electricity Company Ltd (SKELEC) and Nevis Electricity Company (NEVLEC).

Hosted under the theme “Caribbean Linesman: Creating Connections; Strengthening Communities”, the training symposium featured topics such as Minimum Approach Distance, OSHA Standards, Ladder Fall Protection, Impact of Smart Grid on the function of the Line-worker and a panel discussion on Safety Best Practice During Storm Restoration Work: The Caribbean Experience.

The week’s activities commenced on Monday, April 15th, with Rigging, Knot Tying, Instruments Testing and Troubleshooting followed on Tuesday with Pole Top Rescue and Bucket Truck Rescue Training. Teams participating in the rodeo were assessed on skill best practices demonstrated during 6 challenges: HV Earth Installation, HV Fuse Cut Out, Speed Pole Climb, Basketball, Hurtman Rescue and Mystery Event which was a replacement of a fuse cutout link.

The CARILEC Linesman Symposium and Rodeo is a major highlight on CARILEC’s annual Training calendar. The event aims to build knowledge, share best practice and boost the morale of the Linesman.  The activity was inaugurated in 2015 and has been successfully hosted every year with the exception of 2016 – a very active hurricane season, which curtailed a number of planned training activities.

This year’s activity attracted the sponsorship support and participation of a number of international members and affiliates of CARILEC including Southeast Linesman Training Center Global (Platinum), American Wire Group (Gold), Elevated Gear, Buckingham MFG and Jelco (Silver) and Milwaukee Tools, Koppers Utility & Industrial Products and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Bronze).

Eleven brands featured in the exhibition namely Milwaukee Tools, Utility Solutions, Hubbell Power Systems, Koppers Utility & Industrial Products, Buckingham MFG, Jelco, Southeast Linesman Training Center, Elevated Gear, American Wire Group, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Penn Union.