Louis Mahovetz of Columbus, GA was awarded the South Georgia Technical College Foundation Chattahoochee Flint REA Electrical Lineworker Scholarship recently. SGTC President Dr. John Watford and Chattahoochee Flint RESA Director Richard McCorkle were on hand to make the presentation along with other South Georgia Technical College Officials.
Chattahoochee-Flint RESA presented the South Georgia Technical College Foundation with a donation recently to help fund student scholarships for its Electrical Lineworker program. Over 500 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.
Mahevetz was awarded the scholarship based on his work ethics, academics, and overall class performance. He thanks South Georgia Technical College, the SGTC Foundation and Chattahoochee Flint RESA for this opportunity.
“I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to have this opportunity to be a part of this profession. Up until this point in my life, I have had good and bad jobs, but that is all they were ‘jobs.’ I finally feel like I have found a career. Because of South Georgia Technical College and scholarships like this, I have a chance to provide for my family and myself with the best future possible,” said Mahovetz.
“I have done my best to apply myself completely in my studies here and I am so grateful for this opportunity. I look forward to beginning my career in the lineworker field,” said Mahovetz.
South Georgia Technical College partnered with 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.