New Lineworker Academy Opens in Baker City, Expands Workforce Training

APEX Elite Line Academy announced plans to locate a new lineworker training program at Baker Technical Institute in Baker City, with the academy under construction and operations scheduled to begin in spring 2026. The first cohort of students is set to start classes in June 2026, marking the start of what the academy intends to offer as three 14 week sessions each year.

The curriculum will include electrical theory, pole climbing, line construction, heavy equipment operation, transformer work and rigging, safety training, leadership development, and extensive hands on work in a dedicated training yard. Class sizes will be kept to 40 students or fewer per cohort. Reported cost for the program is $22,900, which the academy says covers tuition, climbing equipment and tools, and lab materials fees.

For Baker County residents the program represents an expansion of local capacity to train workers for power line and utility careers. The presence of a dedicated training yard and a scheduled, recurring cycle of cohorts could create a steady influx of trainees who will need housing, food and services while attending classes, generating local economic activity. The program may also provide a clearer pathway into a sector that demands specialized skills and strict safety standards.

At the same time the announced tuition raises policy and planning questions for local leaders. The cost places the program above many community college tuition levels, which could limit access without scholarship support, employer partnerships, or public workforce funds. Local officials and workforce agencies will face choices about how to coordinate outreach to high school students, veterans and unemployed residents, and how to measure placement rates after training.

Institutionally, the Baker Technical Institute will play a central role as host and training site, and county and city permitting, infrastructure and economic development offices will have a stake in the academy s success. As construction proceeds and enrollment details are finalized, tracking outcomes such as completion rates, job placement and local economic impact will be essential to assess whether the program expands opportunity across Baker County or primarily serves out of area demand.