L.U. 17 (catv,em,lctt,o&u), DETROIT, MI — Our local has spearheaded efforts to promote the value of IBEW apprenticeships for line clearance tree trimmers. In 2009, Local 17 established one of the first Department of Labor-registered LCTT apprenticeship programs within the IBEW. Boot camps and apprentice classes are held at our state-of-the-art training center.
In 2019, Local 17 launched two utility arboriculture training programs. Partnering with DTE Energy, five utility arboriculture vendors, the state of Michigan and the city of Detroit, 125 Michigan residents have been trained and equipped to begin an in-demand line clearance career.
Assistant Business Manager Mike Pittman serves as president of Michigan’s chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. Mike also serves as vice chairman of the IBEW Line Clearance Coordinating Council, or CC-1, which comprises more than 30 IBEW locals with line clearance jurisdiction.
In 2023, members of CC-1 attended the Utility Arborist Association Trees and Utilities Conference for the first time. Subsequently, the UAA asked Local 17 to write an article about our apprenticeship program for its bimonthly magazine, Newsline.
Local 17 has also been working with ANSI and OSHA to ensure that organized labor has a voice in the creation of new safety standards affecting tree trimmers.
On June 22, Local 17 held its annual Tree Jamboree at our training center, where we hosted more than 400 members and their families. Jamboree competitors and judges are shown in the photo below.
James Shaw, B.M.
