Four linesmen are now certified following the successful completion of a 12 week Live-Line Training Programme. Photo: Facebook

Five linesmen also graduated Friday, earning their Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) Certified Linesmen Level 3A and Level 3B. Photo: Facebook

Tim Self, owner of Tim Self Powerline Safety and Training, facilitated the 12 week programme. Photo: Facebook

Dr Neil M. Smith, General Manager of the BVI Electricity Corporation said the board intends to have all linesmen trained to work on high voltage lines while still energised. Photo: Facebook

The programme equipped the linesmen with knowledge and specialised technical skills to carry out maintenance on lines while still energised.

The men trained were selected to be trained and perform this task, which they will use in the Transmission and Distribution Department of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC).

A graduation ceremony for the linemen was held on Friday, July 18, 2025. 

The first of its kind training facilitated by United States-based Tim Self, owner of Tim Self Powerline Safety and Training, is part of the BVIEC’s workforce development and excellence.

No ordinary class

Mr Self said it was a privilege to work with the BVIEC employees.

“What I was able to achieve with these four gentlemen, I was never able to achieve with any other class.”

This he attributed to the men already possessing certain skills and the small size of the team.

The success of this training with the BVIEC, he said, has caused him to create a new offering to companies going forward for smaller classes.

“Just what we have been able to achieve in these 12 weeks in mind mind-boggling. I cannot express how proud I am of [them].”

Mr Self also said he is proud of the BVIEC for having the foresight to do this training.

Goal is to have all linesmen receive specialised training

Five linesmen also graduated Friday, earning their Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) Certified Linesmen Level 3A and Level 3B certification. 

General Manager of the BVIEC, Dr Neil M.  Smith, said the successful completion of this specialised training is an indication of greater things to come.

“It is the intention of the board to eventually have the BVIEC have all the linesmen trained to work on high-voltage lines while they are still energised; that’s the goal, that’s the end goal.”

The four graduates of the Live-Line Training Programme, he said, will be at the forefront of this type of maintenance.

“On your shoulders rest procedures that have to be developed throughout the organisation; we don’t expect any mistakes; we expect safety protocols, all of these things would have to be developed on your shoulders.”

Dr Smith encouraged the six recent linesmen graduates to think of themselves as the next cadre of leaders in the BVIEC.

Graduates of the programmes 

Some of the linesmen were involved in multiple programmes at once. They graduated from the programmes as follows:

CARILEC Certified Linesman Programme for Level 3B – Transmission De-Energised Systems 34.5kv Training:

• Taryll DeSouza
• Toriano King
• Shaquil Samuel
• Edward Pollock
• Damien Richardson

CARILEC Certified Linesman Programme for Level 3A- Underground Residential Distribution Training

• Taryll DeSouza
• Toriano King
• Shaquil Samuel
• Edward Pollock
• Damien Richardson

12 Week Rubber Gloving Insolate & Isolate Training (Live-Line Training)

• Shaquil Samuel
• Edward Pollock
• Damien Richardson
• Ronald Baird