Nashville Electric Service officials and dozens of spectators gathered for the grand opening of the company's newest training facility in Madison.
The complex houses an operation center, as well as an indoor training facility, giving crews and linemen year round access.
"To have everything in one location, under one roof, is a great opportunity to make sure our employees get all the training they need, and they don't have to worry about the weather or timing of the year," NES spokesperson Laurie Parker said Saturday.
All crew members training there will have to go through Jeremy Woodside first.
PHOTOS: NES Celebrates Opening Of Training Facility
"I've been doing this for 22 years," Woodside said. He'll soon be teaching classes, for now he has been managing the training schedule.
It's a much different job than his years as a linemen. Two years ago a UTV accident changed his life.
"Severed my hand," he said.
Woodside's first thought was about his career with NES.
"I was determined I was going to come back one way or another," said Woodside.
The new training facility gives Woodside the opportunity to continue working for the company. He has the know how and now the equipment to train employees.
Crews can train on utility poles indoors and outdoors, but NES employees are not the only ones who will benefit from this complex.
"This center will serve over 100,000 customers, and this is a very fast growing part of town," Parker said. "We'll be able to restore power quicker, provide better reliability to customers in this area."
Parker said a large portion of NES employees have been getting ready to retire, so the company is looking to recruit, hire, and train new employees. For anyone interested, click here.
