News Release > Entergy ‘Center of Excellence’ Opens in Clinton

For Immediate Release

Entergy ‘Center of Excellence’ Opens in Clinton

01/25/2021

Ron Suhm, instructional designer, demonstrates the augmentation- virtual reality tool to those attending the Center of Excellence dedication.
Ron Suhm, instructional designer, demonstrates the augmentation- virtual reality tool to those attending the Center of Excellence dedication.

Facility offers immersive training environment for future line workers from four-state region

JACKSON, Mississippi – Entergy’s new Center of Excellence, a high-tech training facility for new line workers, recently opened in Clinton as part of the company’s Knowledge and Skills Training (KAST) facility.

Company officials gathered at a dedication ceremony to commemorate the grand opening. Afterward, they toured the new center. The COE consolidates training for line workers without previous experience from Entergy locations in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. It provides centralized, standardized and consistent delivery of the new-hire boot camp curriculum.

The center will also serve as the pilot location for new innovative learning methods, the evolution of all instructional materials and new technology for the distribution organization. The COE offers an engaging and immersive environment designed to enhance the learning experience. Tools to achieve this include:

  • augmented/virtual reality,
  • an interactive driving simulator,
  • digital touchscreen boards,
  • transformer simulators and
  • drones.

“We want to ensure we have top-of-the-line facilities for training our crews,” said Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi president and CEO. “The Center of Excellence is a great example of providing our team members with the new equipment and modern technology needed to become the premier utility.”

The COE is currently hosting its inaugural line worker boot camp. In 2021, the facility will host six sessions of the 10-week bootcamp, with 12 students per class. Each of Entergy utility’s learning and development centers in Entergy’s four-state service area, including the KAST Center, will continue to provide experienced line workers with ongoing training and education.

Entergy Mississippi, LLC provides electricity to approximately 450,000 customers in 45 counties. Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including nearly 9,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.9 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of $11 billion and approximately 13,600 employees.

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entergy-mississippi.com

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