UI Congratulates Eight Line School Graduates
Following 5-week Line School program, graduates will continue apprenticeship training program before becoming full-time lineworkers with UI
TRUMBULL, Conn. — June 12, 2026 — Today, United Illuminating (UI), a subsidiary of Avangrid, congratulated eight graduates who completed its intensive Line School program. The Line School, which is the first part of its 4-year apprenticeship program for the company’s Overhead Line Department, is an intensive “boot camp” that aims to teach future lineworkers the essential skills they need for the job, including climbing, infrastructure construction, and services and street lights.
“As our energy system continues to evolve, investing in the next generation of skilled professionals is more important than ever,” said Frank Reynolds, President and CEO of UI. “Line School is a critical entry point into a career in the trades—providing hands-on training, mentorship, and a clear path forward. These graduates are beginning careers that offer stability, growth, and the opportunity to make a real difference every day.”
The five-week Line School lays the foundation for the skills needed for UI’s overhead lineworkers. Line School begins with climbing utility poles, including in all weather conditions, before moving to learning infrastructure construction at all levels of the pole: first low height, then middle height, and finishing with the top of the pole. Line School participants then move to learning the essential skills for services and street lights.
“For years now, UI’s Overhead Line department has been fully committed to training the next generation of lineworkers, and today’s Line School graduation is the most important step yet in that process,” said Christine Pariseau, Senior Director of Electric Operations at UI. “Graduating from UI’s Line School is truly an accomplishment and demonstrates the kind of perseverance and skill that we need all our lineworkers to have. I’m very glad to have these graduates as apprentices on our team and can’t wait to see what they continue to accomplish at UI.”
At this week’s graduation ceremony, the graduates demonstrated their wide range of utility pole climbing skills, as well as crucial communication skills necessary when navigating a task. Several UI representatives spoke about the importance of teamwork and always treating safety as a top priority. The ceremony was concluded by a flag raising by all eight graduates on one single pole and a presentation of certificates.
Seven of the eight graduates began their UI journey in the Trade Internship Program, progressing to Rotational Utility Workers before entering the apprenticeship program. Line School marks the start of that apprenticeship, which ultimately leads to becoming fully certified journeymen after four years of training and field experience.
Media Contact:
Angela Baccaro