Owen Deal of Leesburg receives the SGTC Foundation Sumter EMC Electrical Lineworker scholarship

      Owen Deal of Leesburg received the South Georgia Technical College Foundation Sumter EMC Electrical Lineworker Scholarship recently.  SGTC President Dr. John Watford made the presentation along with other South Georgia Technical College officials.  Deal was awarded the scholarship based on his work ethics, academics, and overall class performance. 

   Andrea Walker, Chairman of the Sumter EMC Foundation, was on hand for the presentation.  “One of the seven guiding principles that governs the way Sumter EMC operates is involvement in the communities we serve.  This partnership with South Georgia Technical College is a great example of how good things happen when people in a community work together for a common goal.  Through this grant from the Sumter EMC Foundation, we get to support local education by providing scholarship funds to deserving students,” said Walker.  “On behalf of everyone at Sumter EMC and the Sumter EMC Foundation, I would like to extend our congratulations to Owen as well as to the other individuals in this program because you will help us keep the lights on in our communities.”

     Sumter EMC is a locally owned and operated electric cooperative serving Chattahoochee, Dougherty, Lee, Marion, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Terrell and Webster counties. The Sumter EMC endowed scholarship at South Georgia Technical College is designed to help the students who reside in Sumter EMC’s electric cooperative area and who are enrolled in one of the following programs:  Electrical Lineworker, Industrial Electrical, and/or Drafting Technology.

   South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford thanked Walker and the Sumter EMC Foundation for their support of the SGTC Foundation and South Georgia Technical College.  “We are so appreciative of the support that our college and students receive from Sumter Electric and their foundation,” said Dr. Watford.  “Partnerships are crucial to our success and we appreciate the partnership that we have built with Sumter EMC.  They are helping our students, college, and community ‘move forward.’”

   Deal thanked the South Georgia Technical College Foundation and the Sumter EMC Foundation for their support of this program and students.  “I am a proud, first generation college student from Leesburg and I am very appreciative of this program and this scholarship,” said Deal.  “Growing up in a single parent household, my family often found ourselves with limited income, despite the numerous hours of overtime worked, the second jobs, and the ‘just make it to payday’ self-talks. 

    “My lifelong aspiration has been to become a lineman.  When I found out that South Georgia Technical College had a lineman program, I knew exactly how I could have the opportunity to enter the career that would suit me mentally, physically, and financially,” continued Deal.  “Just one problem lingered in my mind about applying, tuition.  Then I learned that the HOPE grant would cover most of my tuition and that South Georgia Technical College provided the textbooks at no cost, I couldn’t wait to sign up.”

    Even though the HOPE Grant paid for most of his tuition, Deal still commuted 45 minutes every day to attend class during the eight-week session.  “The commute was expensive and I worked every weekend after attending class to try and make ends meet.  This scholarship has been a blessing and it has helped me to move forward toward the career I have always wanted,” added Deal.

   “Thank you again for this scholarship.  Five years from now I see myself employed at a large electrical co-op, with an abounding love for my career and hopefully starting a family,” said Deal.

    Over 550 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 with the potential to reach six figures.

   South Georgia Technical College partnered with Sumter Electric Membership Corporation, Georgia Power and other power companies, electric cooperatives and others to initiate the Electrical Lineworker Program.  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 Digger 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. 

    South Georgia Technical College offers over 200 associate degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit classes.  The college has a 99% job place 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.