Georgia Power Executive Vice President of Customer Service and Operations Pedro Cherry presented South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford and the South Georgia Technical College Foundation with a $12,500 donation for student scholarships for the college’s Electrical Lineworker program recently.
Cherry, along with Rachel Williams, assistant to executive vice president of Customer Service and Operations; Georgia Power Human Resources Manager John Hood; Georgia Power Regional Director Joe Brownlee; and Georgia Power Local Manager and member of the South Georgia Technical College Board of Directors Don Porter visited South Georgia Technical College and met with college officials. SGTC President Watford and his senior staff gave Georgia Power a tour of the college as well as an overview of the programs offered at South Georgia Tech.
“We would like to thank Georgia Power Company for this donation to the South Georgia Technical College Foundation,” said SGTC President Dr. John Watford. “This is a valuable partnership and their support of our students, the foundation and college is essential. Georgia Power is “impacting student success” with these scholarship opportunities and we appreciate what the company has done in the past and continues to do for the college, the faculty and staff.”
South Georgia Technical College initiated the Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Training Course in 2005 as an immediate response to industry demands. Over the past 15 years, South Georgia Technical College has provided the industry with over 600 graduates.
South Georgia Technical College’s program has four basic modules of study for this course including physical requirements, mechanical ability requirements, general electrical safety skills and positive work ethics. “Successful graduates will have entry level skills that the regional utility companies are looking for because they were instrumental in the original design of the course offerings,” said President Watford.
Admission requirements for the Electrical Lineworker Program include: 18 years of age by program graduation date, a high school diploma or GED, and a valid driver’s license as well as the enrollment requirements of South Georgia Technical College. The program cost qualifies for the Georgia HOPE Grant and HOPE Career grant. Students also receive CDL Class B license training during the course work.
For more information about enrolling in the SGTC Electrical Lineworker program contact: Tami Blount, tblount@southgatech.edu or call 229-931-2040.
Partnerships like the one with Georgia Power allow the South Georgia Technical College’s Foundation to provide scholarship assistance to academically deserving and financially disadvantaged students who are interested in receiving a high quality workforce development education and the opportunity to secure the career of a life-time.
Individuals or businesses who would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the South Georgia Technical College Foundation may send donations to P.O. Box 6102, Americus, Georgia 31709. For more information about creating a partnership or endowing a scholarship fund, contact SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird at 229.931.2110.