PEC names Apprentice of the Year
Benjamin Kent, recipient of the Apprentice of the Year for PEC, from the Canyon Lake district. Courtesy photo.
Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) has named Benjamin Kent of the Canyon Lake district its 2026 Apprentice of the Year, recognizing his performance in the utility’s lineworker training program.
Kent received the Overall Apprentice of the Year Award at a recent ceremony in Marble Falls, where PEC highlighted top performers in its apprenticeship program. While he works in the Canyon Lake district, he received much of his training at the PEC Technical Training Center in the Marble Falls.
“I take tremendous pride in my work here and want to thank my trainers, supervisors, and family who helped me get here,” Kent said in a media release. “This is where I want to be for the rest of my career. I love PEC, and I’m excited to be here.”
The award is part of PEC’s apprentice recognition program, launched in 2023 to honor employees demonstrating strong performance, safety and community involvement. Candidates are nominated by management and evaluated on training performance, safety records and service to members and the community.
PEC’s apprenticeship program is an 8,000-hour, U.S. Department of Labor-recognized training program designed to prepare future lineworkers.
“Becoming a journeyman takes years of discipline, patience, and a willingness to learn from experienced linemen who pass down the trade,” PEC Vice President of Operations Virgil Maldonado said to DailyTrib. “We are proud of all our apprentices, especially Benjamin and those who were nominated this year. They are a shining example of our culture and commitment at PEC and we are grateful for their service to our members and community.”