NYSEG and RG&E Celebrate Graduation of 16 Lineworkers at Line School
NYSEG and RG&E Line School is a collaborative effort with IBEW Local 10
and Local 36
Hundreds of employees are currently participating in the Companies’ training progression programs
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — September 25, 2026 — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) are celebrating the graduation of 16 employees from the Companies’ line school in Johnson City. The line school is a combination of classroom learning and hands-on training and is possible thanks to the collaborative efforts with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 10 and Local 36.
“Lineworkers are the backbones of our communities,” said Trish Nilsen, CEO of NYSEG and RG&E. “It’s a challenging but rewarding profession. These employees have progressed tremendously over the last three years to learn all the skills required to become a qualified lineman. I am so proud to welcome the next era of lineworkers to our Company and to see the impact they will make for the next several years.”
NYSEG and RG&E are currently training hundreds of lineworkers from IBEW Local 10 and IBEW Local 36 as part of their internal progression programs. This three-year program includes hands-on field training that develops all the skills required to become a qualified lineman, such as pole climbing, electrical line construction, service installation and maintenance, and safe work practices in the field. The lineworkers are taught by members of the Companies’ training department and union lineworker volunteers who are experts in their field.
The graduation comes as NYSEG and RG&E continue to invest in workforce development to support reliable electric service, strengthen storm response capabilities, and meet the growing demands placed on New York's energy infrastructure. As electrification, economic development, and increased energy demand drive changes across the electric system, skilled lineworkers play a critical role in maintaining and expanding the grid that powers homes, businesses, and communities.
Prospective lineworkers interested in participating in NYSEG and RG&E’s line school are encouraged to contact their union representatives for additional details.
Media Contact
Michael Baggerman