SIDNEY -- Electrical linemen for several agencies are in Sidney this week for training on safely maintaining the electrical grid.

Scott Ouderkirk, associate director of job training and safety, Northeast Community College, said the program is designed to address several skills and skill levels.

"Training this week is all overhead lineman training out here. We've got everything from beginners to advanced students," Ouderkirk said.

He said the course is designed with training stations for each level of experience. He explained one of the stations where workers removed a steel pole and inserted a wood pole.

"The next group that comes out will probably put the steel pole back in and pull the wood pole back out," he said.

Above all else, linemen are trained in safety procedures, according to Ouderkirk.

"Highest focus of the week is basically learning how to do these jobs the safest that we can do them," he said.

The course included classroom and field study. The field work was conducted at a location north of Sidney. The three-day class concludes Thursday. 

He said none of the lines are "hot," transmitting electricity, but students are trained to react as if they are hot.