Seven South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Electrical Lineworker students were selected to receive the South Georgia Technical College Foundation’s Southeastern Electric Exchange’s (S.E.E.) Electrical Lineworker Scholarships.
The $1,000 scholarships were awarded to: Chance Guevara of Hawkinsville, Curtis Taylor Bone of Columbus, Christopher Rice of Leesburg, Gavin Robinson of Fayetteville, Cash Gough of Tallassee, AL; Miguel Granados of Vidalia, and Trenton Landry of Hepzibah, GA.
S.E.E. has been supporting the electric utility industry since 1933. S.E.E.’s Line Worker Grant Program is a continuation of this support. S.E.E. is a non-profit, non-political trade association of investor-owned electric utility companies. Its mission is to promote the common interests and growth of its members, develop and enhance the human, operational and technical resources of member companies to the fullest, as well as provide coordination of storm restoration services to impacted member companies.
Each of the seven students awarded the scholarships are currently enrolled in the SGTC Fall eight-week Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Certificate Training program and expressed their appreciation to Southeastern Electric Exchange for the support of their educational endeavors. Each of the students had different motivations for entering the lineworker field but all expressed the desire to give back and help others as well as have a great career.
Curtis Taylor Bone of Columbus pointed out that he had “always felt a deep pull toward work that forms the life-blood of our society.” He has a B.S. in Sustainability, Materials, Energy, and Technology from Arizona State University and worked as an Engineering Intern at Columbus Water Works. He recently realized that his true calling lies in critical infrastructure where hands-on problem solving directly impacts peoples every lives.
“Choosing South Georgia Technical College in Americus, GA was a purposeful decision. I wanted an elite, safety-first environment to earn my Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Certification and build a hands-on career. SGTC’s reputation proceeds itself, as friends who have completed the program gave highly favorable reviews and have become successful themselves,” added Bone.
Bone had no financial aid and already paid nearly $5,000 to Georgia Drives Academy to have his CDL before he arrived at SGTC. He used personal savings, worked odd jobs every weekend and put the remaining costs on credit cards to achieve his dream. “Receiving this scholarship lifted an immense financial weight off my shoulders and it completely changed my life and allowed me to focus entirely on mastering demands of the trade. Thank you again,” added Bone.
Like Bone, Cash Gough of Tallassee, AL, had to use personal savings to attend the SGTC Electrical Lineworker program. “I have nine siblings in my family so there was a need for me to pay my own way. And because I was from out of state, I did not qualify for the HOPE Grant,” said Gough. “This scholarship is helping me to pay for the program and putting me on the right track financially while I am finding a job in my chosen career. Thank you so much for the scholarship opportunity.”
Miguel Granados of Vidalia was another scholarship winner who is thankful for the S.E.E. Lineworker scholarships because he also had to pay out-of-pocket to attend classes and live in the on-campus housing.
“My reasons for pursuing a career in electrical line work comes from two people, my older brother and a high school teacher,” explained Granados. “My brother and I both chose the Energy pathway at our high school. In this class we learned how energy is made, how energy gets to your house and every detail that goes into the process of being able to use electricity in our everyday lives.
“Dr. Hart, who taught this program in my high school, convinced me to consider this line of work and recommended South Georgia Tech. He said the work pays well, has good benefits, and most importantly to me, you get to work outside in new environments every day. Receiving this scholarship was awesome,” added Granados.
Chance Guevara of Hawkinsville shared that “being a lineman is more than just having a job. It is a career that requires hard work, responsibility, teamwork, and dedication. I believe those are qualities that I want to develop and carry with me throughout my life.”
Guevara chose SGTC because it has “one of the best lineman programs the state of Georgia has to offer.” Location and positive feedback also played a vital role in choosing SGTC. He comes from a single parent home and has other siblings. The scholarship was a tremendous blessing financially.
Gavan Robinson of Fayetteville, and Trenton Landry of Hepzibah, also mentioned the quality of the SGTC program and their desire to have a meaningful career played a role in them enrolling in the Electrical Lineworker program at South Georgia Tech.
“Becoming a lineworker is important to me because I want to build a rewarding career, develop valuable skills, and create a successful future for myself,’ said Landry. “This scholarship allowed me to concentrate more on my education and training without being overwhelmed by the cost of school, on-campus housing and cafeteria expenses.”
Gavin Robinson shared some of the same desires as the others. “I want to build a career where hard work, responsibility, and teamwork matter every day. I have always enjoyed working with my hands and being outside. The lineworker career beings those things together with a skill that can make a real difference in people’s lives. I like that this career is not just about having a job, but about learning something that takes discipline and can be used for the rest of my life.”
He expressed his gratitude to Southeastern Electric Exchange for the scholarship and the help to earn his place in this industry. Each student touched on giving back to their communities and the importance of this work. They all have slightly different goals, but they are hoping through this vocation, they can make a positive impact on society.
South Georgia Technical College was the first technical college in Georgia to offer the Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Course. It was created in 2005 in response to industry demands. The industry needed to replace its retiring workforce.
Admission requirements for program entrance include: at least 18 years of age, must have obtained a high school diploma or equivalency, and must obtain a Class A CDL Instructional permit before enrollment.
The SGTC Electrical Lineworker program is a 12-semester hour, eight-week class that meets Monday through Thursday. Students receive training on the proper use of lineworker tools, lineworker simulation, power industrial truck operation, and electrical safety. The skills field training includes learning to climb poles safely, working on electrical connections at high altitudes, and the operation of power trucks and trailers and other equipment. During the observation-based training, students are able to observe 30 hours of lineworker’s performing their job duties with partnering power companies. Students are guaranteed a job interview with utility companies upon successful completion of the program.
Approximately two-thirds of the program is devoted to strenuous hands-on skills allowing students to develop a high degree of proficiency in the electrical lineworking equipment and procedures. All SGTC Electrical Lineworker students have the opportunity to earn a CDL Class A or B license as part of the program. To be employed as an electrical lineworker, students must be able to drive the specialized utility trucks and trailers carrying electrical poles.
SGTC has a 99% job placement rate and over 1000 students have graduated from this eight-week program. The median annual wage for electricians, line installers and repairers is between $50,000 and $60,000 per year with the potential to reach six figures within two years with overtime and storm duty.
South Georgia Tech is one of only two technical colleges in Georgia with on-campus housing. Lineworker students can live on-campus in double-occupancy rooms for $1675 each for the eight-week class. That price includes 19 meals per week and access to free WIFI. The tuition cost for the 12-hour program is currently $1675. Georgia residents are eligible for the HOPE Grant and HOPE Career Grant, which covers most of the tuition costs and fees.
The college offers over 200 associate degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit classes. The college has a 99% job placement rate for graduates and offers lifetime career placement services. Financial aid is available for qualified students. For more information about applying to South Georgia Technical College, visit www.southgatech.edu or contact the admissions office at 229-931-2394 in Americus or 229-271-4040 in Cordele.
For more information about the Electrical Lineworker program at South Georgia Technical College or to apply for the next class, contact Tami Blount at 229-931-2040 or tblount@southgatech.edu. For more information about how to support student scholarships through the South Georgia Technical College Foundation, contact Executive Director Su Ann Bird at 229-931-2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu.