Baker Technical Institute and Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Break Ground on New Lineman School

Baker City, Oregon (BTI & OTEC) –

Baker Technical Institute (BTI), in partnership with Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC), is proud to announce the groundbreaking of a new lineworker school in Baker City. This milestone marks the beginning of construction for this exciting new technical training facility which is scheduled to begin training the first cohort of students in spring 2026.

This collaborative effort reflects OTEC’s commitment to safety, reliability, and community development. The new school continues and deepens the BTI-OTEC partnership as they work together to equip future lineworkers with the skills needed to support the growing demands of the electric utility industry and ensure a resilient electrical infrastructure.

OTEC’s Chief Executive Officer Les Penning stressed the importance of trade schools as our nation faces skilled labor shortages in many fields, including the electric sector, “BTI’s innovative approach to training in the trades aligns perfectly with our industry’s future needs and offers a gateway for our region’s workforce, while stimulating our local economy.” BTI, a leader in Career Technical Education, has worked closely with OTEC for several years, delivering world-class utility safety training across the Pacific Northwest. This partnership laid the foundation for the new lineworker school, which will uphold the highest standards in training and safety.

“Our goal is to set the standard for quality lineman training,” said Doug Dalton, President of BTI, adding “the school will be part of a larger training center serving utility workers, first responders, and skilled trades, where we are committed to graduating professionals with the skills, experience, and integrity needed for success and safety in the industry. Additionally, we are very excited for local high school students to have the opportunity to pursue this line of work right in their own backyard.” OTEC’s investment in the project underscores its core value of safety and its dedication to workforce development. The new school will initially create eight jobs, inject an estimated $4.2 million into the local economy, and help meet the region’s infrastructure and energy needs.

About OTEC

Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) is one of Oregon's largest distribution cooperatives. Headquartered in Baker City, Oregon, with district offices in La Grande, John Day, and Burns, OTEC serves approximately 32,000 meters in Baker, Grant, Harney and Union counties with a network of overhead and underground lines approximately 3,000 miles long. OTEC's distribution system represents an investment of more than $204 million. For scholarship information visit otec.coop

About BTI

Baker Technical Institute (BTI), operating as a division of Baker 5J School district, is a leading provider of Career Technical Education programs focused on developing the next generation of skilled workers, technology innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Headquartered in Baker City, Oregon, BTI offers cutting-edge education and training, leading to certification in high-wage, high-demand careers, such as construction, heavy equipment operation, truck driving, welding, computer science, agricultural sciences, natural resources/environmental sciences, engineering, health services, and manufacturing. For more information, go to bakerti.org