Organization

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SMECO) was established in 1937. It is a non-profit electric distribution cooperative owned by its customers and operated for their mutual benefit. It is the only electric distribution company in the tri-county area, employing over 500 employees and supplying electricity to over 154,000 customers. It is one of the top ten largest and fastest growing distribution cooperatives in the nation.The Cooperative not only provides electricity, it provides education on the safe use of current, the efficient use of current in the home and business environment, and offers services and equipment to ensure efficient use of power. The Cooperative is an integral part of the community in which it provides its services.Our apprenticeship program is registered with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. This program is administered by the Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (JATC). The JATC is comprised of six employees from the Engineering & Operations Department. The Technical Training Manager is the instructor of our curriculum from Northwest Lineman's College.The Electric Power Line Technician Program is offered through a partnership between the College of Southern Maryland, which provides the general education courses, and SMECO, which provides the technical courses. Individuals must be employed by SMECO to participate in the technical courses.All courses at Northwest Lineman's College are developed and updated as technology and industry standards change. All job related instruction and benchmarks for the best practices are taught at SMECO by subject matter experts. The Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (JATC) is responsible for the oversight of our apprenticeship program at SMECO.