Daniel Hobson of Windsor-based Community Electric Cooperative was among 12 lineworkers from electric cooperatives and municipal utilities who graduated from apprentice to journeyman status following completion of thousands of hours of training.

They completed their final Line Technician Apprentice Program-Step 8 class on Sept. 16 at the Electric Cooperative Training Center in Palmyra. The Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives owns and operates the state-of-the-art center.

To achieve journeyman status, lineworkers must complete 8,000 hours of classroom and on-the-job training. Alan Scruggs, the association’s vice president of safety, training and education services, said the program incorporates climbing skills, knowledge of electricity, underground and substation work, safety and leadership, among other topics.