South Georgia Technical College Electrical Lineworker students Landon Hays Morrison of Buena Vista and Mayco Huerta of Fort Valley were awarded the South Georgia Technical College Foundation’s Flint Energies Scholarships for Electrical Lineworker students also earning a Commercial Truck Driving (CDL) license.
“We are so appreciative of Flint Energies for providing this funding to the SGTC Foundation for our Electrical Lineworker students who incur additional expense to earn their Commercial Driver’s License training while also attending the Electrical Lineworker program,” said SGTC President Dr. John Watford.
“This scholarship allows students to achieve their goal of a career in the Electrical Lineworker field while also bringing additional skills to the workplace with their CDL,” explained Dr. Watford. “There is a tremendous need right now across Georgia and other southeastern states for Electrical Lineworkers and Commercial Truck Drivers.”
Both Morrison and Huerta and their families thanked Flint Energies for the extra assistance with the scholarships. “I hope to one day work for Flint Energies,” said Huerta. I am very grateful for the help that Flint Energies has provided to help me start my career.” Morrison also shared that the scholarship was a tremendous help. “This scholarship really helps relieve a lot of financial stress from attending college and not being able to work during this class,” said Morrison.
Morrison, who is 19 years old, is taking the lineworker class because he wants to follow his dad in electric work. His dad is an engineer, but his dream is to become a lineworker. “This is such an interesting career opportunity and I am very grateful for your support of my dream.”
Huerta chose the lineworker career “because I want to help people and better the lives of me and my family. Being a lineman will allow me to help my community. Many times, nobody even pays attention to power until it goes out, but when that happens, it is the job of the lineworkers to come and fix it. South Georgia Tech, to me, is the best first step in becoming a lineman and this scholarship is a tremendous help.”
South Georgia Technical College partnered with power companies, electric cooperatives and others to initiate the Electrical Lineworker Program nearly 20 years ago. There was a need by these companies to replace or replenish retiring workers. Students in the Electrical Lineworker Apprentice program undergo training in the classroom, on an actual skills field with electrical poles and platforms, and participate in observation-based on-the-job training.
In the classroom, students learn about the AC/DC electrical theory, field training, occupational safety, team work, line construction theory, line clearance, rigging, transformers, basic telecommunications, and utility metering. 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 trucks and trailers utilized in repairing and restoring electricity and electrical lines.
Nearly 1000 students have graduated from this eight-week program that has a 99% job placement rating. The median annual wage for electricians, line installers and repairers is between $50,000 and $60,000 per year.
For more information about the Electrical Lineworker program at South Georgia Technical College contact Tami Blount at 229-931-2040 or tblount@southgatech.edu.
South Georgia Technical College is currently accepting applications for this program and other classes as part of its eight-week Fall Semester schedule. Classes begin August 5th and students can go to www.southgatech.edu and click on the Apply Now button on the top right-hand side of the home page.
For more information about applying, contact Admissions Director Candie Walters at 229-931-2299 or cwalters@southgatech.edu in Americus or Admissions Coordinator Macy Williams at 229-271-4051 or macy.williams@southgatech.edu in Cordele.