Mason Andrew Kirkpatrick receives SGTC Foundation Georgia Power Electrical Lineworker scholarship

March 10, 2021
South Georgia Technical College Electrical Lineworker instructor Sidney Johnson is shown above on the front row with Mason Andrew Kirkpatrick, who was presented with the Georgia Power Electrical Lineworker Scholarship by the SGTC Foundation. SGTC’s Director of Business and Industry Services Paul Farr is also shown with SGTC Economic Development Assistant Tami Blount and SGTC President Dr. John Watford.
South Georgia Technical College Electrical Lineworker instructor Sidney Johnson is shown above on the front row with Mason Andrew Kirkpatrick, who was presented with the Georgia Power Electrical Lineworker Scholarship by the SGTC Foundation. SGTC’s Director of Business and Industry Services Paul Farr is also shown with SGTC Economic Development Assistant Tami Blount and SGTC President Dr. John Watford.

      South Georgia Technical College Electrical Lineworker student Mason Andrew Kirkpatrick of Cochran, GA, received the Georgia Power Electrical Lineworker Scholarship recently from the South Georgia Technical College Foundation. The scholarship was awarded based on work ethics, academics, and overall class performance.  

   South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford and other South Georgia Technical College officials were on hand to present Kirkpatrick with his SGTC Foundation scholarship and certificate.  The Georgia Power Electrical Lineworker scholarship was created thanks to a donation from Georgia Power to the South Georgia Technical College Foundation for student scholarships in the college’s Electrical Lineworker program.

    “We would like to thank Georgia Power for supporting our students, our college and our foundation,” said SGTC President Dr. John Watford.  “This is a valuable partnership.  Georgia Power’s support of students, the foundation and college is very important.  Georgia Power is helping students, communities, and our state ‘move forward’ with these scholarship opportunities.  We appreciate what Georgia Power has done in the past and continues to do for the college, the faculty, staff, and most importantly, our students.”

   Kirkpatrick thanked South Georgia Technical College for offering the Electrical Lineworker program and Georgia Power for initiating the scholarship.  He also thanked his parents for setting such a great example for him and for supporting his decision to enroll in the South Georgia Technical College Electrical Lineworker program.

   “I have enjoyed my time in the lineworker program and I look forward to graduating and finding a job to learn more about this career,” said Kirkpatrick.  “I truly believe this is where I need to be and that I will enjoy the work ahead of me.”

   Kirkpatrick worked full-time last year to save funds to be able to attend the Lineworker program.  His parents and the HOPE grant also helped with the tuition and on-campus housing and cafeteria expenses.  “While I know where I will lay my head at night and where my next meal will come from, my parents do not offer me money for daily expenses.  I pay my over vehicle payment as well as insurance and any other expenses that come with daily living so this is a big help,” added Kirkpatrick.

   South Georgia Technical College collaborated with power companies, electric cooperatives and others to initiate the Electrical Lineworker Program in 2005.  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, earn a Commercial Truck Driving Class B License and then 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 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 Bucket and Line trucks and trailers that carry the electrical poles.

     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.