MIDDLEBORO — The Middleboro Gas and Electric Department has welcomed two new co-op students, Matt Berard and John Hanley from Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School.

The co-op program allows these students to earn high school credits while getting real-world job experience at  Middleboro Gas and Electric (MGED.) It helps the municipal utility train and mentor the next generation of skilled utility workers.

“We are excited to have Matt and John join the MGED staff as co-op students in order to learn what a locally-owned Municipal Electric and Gas Utility has to offer,” said MGED’s Assistant General Manager, Ken Stone. “As a former Northeastern University co-op student myself, I did my co-op through another Municipal Electric Utility and I understand the importance of the co-op program to the utility workforce. I would not be working for MGED today had it not been for the co-op learning experience.”

Matt Berard has started in the Gas Department as part of his plumbing vocational education. He will shadow technicians with customer service calls, learning skills in gas line installations, appliance hookups and more.

John Hanley is working in the Electric Department as part of his electrical vocational training. He will shadow electricians with service connections, wiring, troubleshooting, and gaining field experience in electrical infrastructure.

“Municipally owned gas and electric companies are facing a wave of retirements of long-time, highly skilled staff, and in order to manage the transition we welcome an opportunity to introduce students like Matt and John to municipal utility operations.” said MGED General Manager Jackie Crowley.

The Bristol Plymouth students will work part-time at MGED while completing their technical coursework, learning valuable skills in providing safe and reliable utility services.