On June 19th and 20th the NEPPA Lineworker Apprentice School held its 15th Annual Skills Assessment Rodeo at the NEPPA Training Center in Littleton Massachusetts. Approximately 50 students worked on 10 separate events in which they utilized the skills they are developing at the school. The 10 events include Pole Top Rescue, Bucket Rescue, Free Climb, Fall Arrested Climb, Obstacle Course, Single Cross Arm Changeout, Double Cross Arm Changeout, Insulator Changeout, Transformer Changeout, and Cutout Fuse Replacement (from the ground using an extendable hotstick). All of the students are very busy for the 2 days attempting to finish all of the events. Each event is scored based upon a point system that rewards quality and safe work and each event is timed. Please look in this newsline for the winners of each event, as well as all the pictures taken at the event.

The weather this year was fantastic with sunny skies and temperatures near 70 degrees with low humidity. The weather may have been a factor in the record turnout of visitors that watched the students perform. All the participants are encouraged to see visitors from their respective utilities showing support.

Several vendors in the industry also supported the rodeo by donating very nice gifts to be handed out to the top performers in each event. Hydron, Irby, Greenlee Tools and Lincoln Hoist were among those on hand and they also provided some gear for some of the helpers. Ed Tilgren from Buckingham was also in attendance. He demonstrated the use of a fall arrest tool that is popular among the students.

To stage an event like this much help is needed. Many thanks to Littleton Electric Light Department, Pascoag Utility District, the vendors, the NEPPA staff, Steve Towne and all who helped. Without this support the "Rodeo" would not be possible. Thank you!