Red Oak grad pursues career with ONCOR

Michael Edwards, a 2017 Red Oak High School graduate, is the first individual to be hired by ONCOR through a local program that began several years ago at the high school. The program was through the High School’s ROISD, TSTC and ONCOR.

Edwards was recently hired as a designer after completing the requirements according to Beth Trimble, Red Oak ISD, Executive Director of Communications.

“The program includes courses while attending Red Oak HS, followed by an 18 to 24 month program at Texas State Technical College,” Trimble explained.

The ONCOR program began with Kenneth Govan, Community Services Manager for ONCOR.

While seeking highly trained local employees to work for ONCOR he decided if he could not find the right candidates, why not train individuals who are interested instead.

The business partnership program, which was originally proposed in 2016, encourages students in automotive technology, engineering, and information technology to consider the ONCOR pathways for electrical power and control technicians as well as electrical lineman.

“As technical careers evolve, companies like ONCOR recruit students in high school with the promise of a future career,” said Lisa Menton, Director of Career and Technical Education.

“For students who are seeking a career pathway, such as Mr. Edwards, this opportunity is local and only offered at Red Oak High School.

“Our students can begin in lucrative designer and engineering programs as soon as they complete their TSTC courses.

“We are very excited to have our first ONCOR hire through this partnership.” According to Wikipedia, ONCOR Electric Delivery Company is Texas’ largest transmission and distribution electric utility, the sixth largest in the US, serving more than 10 million Texans in 410 cities and 120 counties in the state.