Who We Are
The Joint Line Apprenticeship Training Association JLATA is a not-for-profit organization.
Get to know our staff and Board of Directors below.
Joint Line Apprenticeship Training Association
The Joint Line Apprenticeship & Trades Trainee Committee JLATTC was established on February 2, 1993, by a Trust Agreement between the Powerline Contractors, the “Employers” in British Columbia and the Local Union 258 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers “Local 258 IBEW”, to institute a Powerline Technician apprenticeship training program for individuals working for the Line Contractor Employers.
On March 2017, the JLATTC was incorporated under the Societies Act of British Columbia, and our name was changed to the Joint Line Apprenticeship Training Association JLATA. Apprentices indentured to the JLATA are employed by our Employer members who are signatories to the Trust Agreement, also known as the Master Line Agreement. The JLATA has the managerial oversight for the program to ensure Apprentices in the Powerline Technician Apprenticeship Program receive the appropriate training and employment within the trade.
The Executive Board of Directors
The Board of Directors are paramount in providing direction to the Association and have the oversight of the JLATA operations. Made up of key personnel from the Employers and Local 258 IBEW, each member is fully invested in quality training and want the best possible experience for each Apprentice. The Board comprises of four representatives from the Local Union 258 IBEW and four Employer representatives. The appointed Chairman of the Board is neutral and not associated with the Employers or IBEW.
Ted Pennell, Chair
Chair
Owner Operator – Trueline Power and Consulting Ltd.
Ted began his powerline career in his hometown in Newfoundland and moved to British Columbia in 1997. He completed his PLT apprenticeship in BC working for lower mainland contractors. In 2013, Ted started Trueline Power and Consulting Ltd with his business partner. Ted has been fortunate to work on several major storms power projects in Boston, New York, Florida, and Washington.
Ted has been a Board Member of the JLATTA since 2012 and sits on the Board of Directors for the Electrical Contractors Association of BC. Ted is also a founding committee member of the Power Ride, a charity for injured workers in the line trade. As a young owner, Ted appreciates the value of apprenticeship and assisting the next generation of PLT journeyperson.
Ken Mitchell, Treasurer & Director
Treasurer & Director
Assistant Business Manager -Local 258 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Assistant Business Manager
Coming soon.
Robin Lucas, Director
Director
Executive Business Advisor – Allteck Limited Partnership / Canadian Utility Construction
Born and raised in British Columbia, Robin Lucas began his career in the electrical industry in 1975. Robin holds Red Seal Certifications as an Electrician and Powerline Technician and a Class A license along with an Electrical Contractor Certification. Robin built, owned, and operated a very successful electrical and powerline contracting company for 28 years, constructing and maintaining underground and overhead distribution, transmission systems and substations for BC Hydro and the resource industries of forestry and mining in British Columbia. In 2009 his company was acquired by Quanta Services Inc.
Robin served as President of the BC Line Contractor’s Association for 14 years between 2001 and 2015. Today, Robin is the Executive Business Advisor of Allteck Limited Partnership and Canadian Utility Construction Corporation, having previously held the position of President for both companies. Robin currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Joint Line Apprenticeship Training Association and the Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia. Robin continues to be engaged in all aspects of the industry in keeping with his passion for training and apprenticeship.
Ben Berkelaar, Director
Local 258 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Coming soon
Mike McMinn, Director
Director
Instructor – BC Hydro Trades Training Centre (TTC )
Mike was initiated into the IBEW in 2001 and started is PLT apprenticeship in 2004 with BC Hydro. Upon completing his apprenticeship, he spent his time working on the overhead and underground distribution system in the Lower Mainland. During which he was involved in training numerous apprentices. In 2016 Mike took on the role of Trades Training Instructor with BC Hydro which he currently holds. This position allows him to have involvement in training PLT apprentices for both BCH and the JLA.
Over the years, Mike has served the IBEW in many areas, starting with being the recording secretary in Unit 6 in 2006. Currently, Mike is the Unit 6 Chair and Executive Board Member of the IBEW Local 258 and their Rep. to the Canadian Utility Safety Program.
Patricia Briner, Director
Director
Owner Operator – Arctic Arrow Powerline Group Ltd.
Coming soon.
Lawrence Hancharuk, Director
Director
General Manager (Western Canada), Rokstad Power
Lawrence Hancharuk is a qualified Red Seal Powerline technician and qualified FSR with 20 plus years in the powerline industry. He has worked in multiple Provinces across Canada as a lineman and in construction and project management.
From 2011-2015 Lawrence held a partnership role in a powerline contractor specializing in Construction, maintenance, and consulting of utility systems.
Lawrence currently holds the role of General manager of Rokstads Western Canadian division where he oversees the day-to-day operations of the division.
Patrick Hagel, Director
Director
Cable Splicer Foreman – Arctic Arrow Powerline Group
Pat Hagel started his career as a cable splicer apprentice at BC Hydro in 2001. After completion of his apprenticeship he remained in this position until 2010.
In 2010 Pat ventured to Arctic Power to pursue his PLT certification. Pat has been on the Joint Line Apprentice and Trades Training Committee since 2017 and is a member of BC Hydro Apprentice and Trades Training Committee.
Brandon Fiscus, Director
Director
General Manager of Resources -Allteck Limited Partnership Ltd.
Brandon Fiscus is a certified Powerline Technician with over 20 years of experience in the powerline industry. Brandon has a considerable amount of experience in the trade and has worked from distribution through to 500 kV transmission. This experience ranges all the disciplines within the power line industry including both rubber glove and hotstick distribution live line experience, transmission live line experience, and construction experience in Overhead and Underground Distribution systems as well as Transmission line construction. Throughout his career, he has travelled throughout Canada executing the various types of work. Brandon is a valued leader at Allteck and has held the roles of Foreman and General Foreman for many different projects across Canada. He is considered a mentor to the new Powerline Technicians in the trade and takes pride with helping the new apprentices through their journey at becoming a Powerline Technician.
More recently, Brandon’s roles have changed at Allteck, and he is now responsible for all the union trade personal. This includes the allocation of employee resources for both Canadian and International projects. He works with different areas within the organization to ensure the training for each member is targeted to maximize their success throughout their long careers. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Joint Line Apprenticeship Training Association.
Our Team
Alisha Carter
Apprenticeship Program Manager & E.A. to Chair/ Board of Directors
Angelina Carter
Training Coordinator & Administrative Support
Industry Partners
Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia (ECABC) represent approximately 150 members across the province including electrical contractors, powerline contractors and associate members.
SkilledTradesBC (STBC) is the provincial government agency that leads and coordinates B.C.’s skilled trades system by working with employers, apprentices, industry, labour, training providers, and government to issue credentials, support apprenticeships, fund programs, set program standards and increase opportunities in the trades.
BC Hydro Trades Training Centre is the JLATA’s technical training provider designated by the ITA to deliver the relevant guidelines and levels of technical training as set out in the Powerline Technician Program Outline.
WorksafeBC was established by provincial legislation as an agency with the mandate to oversee a no-fault insurance system for the workplace. They are committed to creating a province free from workplace injury or illness, and to providing service driven by our core values of integrity, accountability, and innovations. By partnering with workers and employers, we help British Columbia come home from work safe every day.
Powering BC Through Excellence in Training
The Joint Line Apprenticeship Training Association has the managerial oversight for the program to assure Apprentices in the Powerline Technician Apprenticeship Program are provided the best training and learning experience within the trade.