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.
About the JLATA
The Joint Line Apprenticeship & Trades Trainee Committee (JLATTC) was established February 2, 1993, by Trust Agreement between the Powerline Contractors “Employers” in British Columbia and the Local Union 258 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (“IBEW”), to establish an ongoing joint line apprenticeship and trades training program for individuals working for the Line Contractor employers.
In March 2017, the Trust fund was incorporated under the Societies Act of British Columbia, and its name changed to the Joint Line Apprenticeship Training Association. Apprentices indentured to the JLATA are employed by 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 assure Apprentices in the Powerline Technician Apprenticeship Program are receiving the appropriate training and employment within the trade.
Our 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.
Lindsay Langill, Chair
Chair
Lindsay was born in Vancouver and has lived in British Columbia the majority of his life. Lindsay holds Certificates of Qualification (Red-Seal) as a Millwright, Welder, and Power Engineer. He has 3 degrees: A Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and Master of Arts (Honours) from the University of British Columbia, and his Doctorate from the University of Calgary.
After leaving industry, Lindsay taught high school for 16 years before moving to the Ministry of Education to set up the Secondary School Apprenticeship program in BC high schools. He moved from the Ministry to become Senior Director of Program Standards with the Industry Training Authority and further, served two terms as Dean of Trades and Technology at Thompson Rivers University. Lindsay served on the ITA Board of Directors for 4 years and still sits on many Boards as a Director. He also serves on the Mayor’s Task Force for permitting and development with the City of Delta.
Dr. Langill has published many papers and articles on apprenticeship matters and has spoken on Apprenticeship topics in over 20 countries. He still finds time to teach an occasional class at UBC in the Faculty of Education. Dr. Langill is a passionate advocate for apprenticeship and joined the Joint Line Apprenticeship Training Association in 2019.
Jim Greenwell, Treasurer & Director
Treasurer & Director
Assistant Business Manager -Local 258 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Assistant Business Manager
A strong advocate of apprenticeship, Jim has been a member of the JLATA Board of Directors for 19 years.
As a Red Seal Electrician, Jim has a deep understanding of the trade and the value of quality training. Jim recognizes that an investment in training today provides a quality workforce for tomorrow. Jim is a Board member of IBEW #258 Health and Welfare Trust and Skill Source BC. He has worked for the past 27 years as a Union Representative for IBEW Local 258 and has over 45 years in the Electrical trade.
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.
Doug McKay, Director
Director
Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Local 258 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Doug started his career in 1965 as an apprentice Lineman in Ontario. Doug was hired at BC Hydro in 1968 as a Lineman. During the early part of his career, he worked as a General Foreman at BC Hydro’s Construction Business Unit (CBU) and ran crews as Temporary Manager before moving to Papua New Guinea to take on a senior position in the Line trade.
Upon his return to Canada in 1991, Doug was rehired to work at BC Hydro’s CBU and took a position as a Trouble Man in 1992.
In 1998, Doug was elected President of Local 258 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and has served as Business Manager/Financial Secretary since being elected in 2002. He has been re-elected by the membership four times, most recently in 2018.
Doug McKay has been instrumental in the success of Local 258 IBEW and has established significant and positive working relationships with employers and government officials to advance the livelihoods of the more than 4,000 members represented by the Union who work in the electric utility, private power line, manufacturing, utility arborist and traffic control industries in British Columbia and in the Yukon Territory in Canada.
He is active on numerous committees, both in the Union and in the community, and is well-known for his leadership abilities.
Doug is a Board Member of the Joint Line Apprenticeship Training Association and serves as an Executive Officer of the BC Federation of Labour.
Mike McMinn, Director
Director
Assistant Business Manager -Local 258 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
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 IBEW Local 258 Rep. to the Canadian Utility Safety Program. As well he is currently the Recording Secretary of IBEW Local 258.
Ted Pennell, Director
Director
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.
Lawrence Hancharuk, Director
Director
General Manager (Western Canada), Rokstad Power
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.
Industry Training Authority (ITA) 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.