PPL Gas Utilities was recognized at a recent American Gas Association event for the quality of its technical training program for employees.
"It's an honor to have our peers acknowledge that we are one of the best in the gas utility industry," said Jack Mulfinger, manager of Safety and Training for PPL Gas Utilities. "We're a small gas company with a big commitment to operating our pipelines and facilities safely."
PPL Gas Utilities provides ongoing training for about 200 employees and 100 contractors who work on the company's 3,450 miles of pipelines, 1,800 regulator stations and 3,000 test stations.
One of only four companies to make presentations at the AGA's 2005 Technical Training Best Practices Roundtable in Montreal, PPL Gas Utilities also received recognition for two best practices:
• A comprehensive apprentice program to train, test and evaluate performance.
• Change management processes that include a thorough review of new tools, material and equipment, and ensure that workers are notified of, and receive training for, any changes in company standards.
The company's presentation at the AGA roundtable was made by Rich Wagoner, field evaluator and instructor for PPL Gas Utilities.
"Employees average 40 hours of training per year," Wagoner explained. "All new employees take part in a three-year apprentice program that includes 200 hours of formal training, additional on-the-job training under the direction of qualified co-workers, and a minimum of three field evaluations of their work."
After completing those qualifications, workers may go on to achieve specialized master qualifications in such areas as welding, pipeline corrosion, pipeline tapping and stopping, and gas regulation.
Mulfinger said the company has a curriculum committee, with members from labor and management, that looks continually to improve the apprentice program.
"Our program is thorough and performance-oriented, so our customers can trust the ability of the people who work on natural gas pipelines and facilities in their neighborhoods," Mulfinger said.
PPL Gas Utilities, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation, provides natural gas delivery service to about 75,000 customers in 34 Pennsylvania counties and a small portion of Maryland.