Wolverine Power Cooperative announced today an agreement to purchase Baker College of Cadillac’s Center for Transportation and Technology (CTT). The facility, located at 4800 S. Morey Road (M-66) in Lake City, Mich., will become a state-of-the-art electric utility training center, and house the Joint Michigan Apprentice Program (JMAP).

“Michigan electric cooperatives have a rich tradition of training utility apprentices spanning the last 30 years through the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program,” said Eric Baker, president and chief executive officer. “As we transition to JMAP, Wolverine and its members are proud to carry on this tradition by delivering world-class lineman training at a single location.”

The new training center will feature indoor classrooms, hands-on training lab, and outdoor climbing facilities to support the JMAP, a U.S. Department of Labor-certified program administered in partnership by Wolverine and IBEW Local 876. The program is expected to train about 50 students per year.

Enrollment for JMAP is now open for classes beginning this fall. Utilities interested in participating can click here for registration or learn more at www.MichiganApprentices.com.

For questions regarding the Joint Michigan Apprentice Program, please contact JMAP@wpsci.com.