Southeastern Electric Exchange (S.E.E.) of Atlanta has awarded the South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Foundation a $25,000 grant for scholarships to students enrolled in the SGTC Electrical Lineworker program. S.E.E. Executive Director Scott H. Smith made the presentation to SGTC President Dr. John Watford.
South Georgia Technical College initiated the eight-week Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Certificate Training program in 2005 in response to industry demands needing to replace its retiring workforce. For the past 20-years, the SGTC Electrical Lineworker program has helped students obtain entry-level employment with regional utility companies. The program is open to anyone interested in obtaining employment as an Electrical Lineworker Apprentice. Admission requirements include: at least 18 years of age, must have obtained a high school diploma or equivalency and must obtain a Class A CDL Instructional permit before enrollment.
S.E.E. has been supporting the electric utility industry since 1933. S.E.E.’s Line Worker Grant Program is a continuation of this support. S.E.E. is a non-profit, non-political trade association of investor-owned electric utility companies. Its mission is to promote the common interests and growth of its members, develop and enhance the human, operational and technical resources of member companies to the fullest, as well as provide coordination of storm restoration services to impacted member companies.
S.E.E.’s membership includes 49 electric utility operating companies who serve 21 states and the District of Columbia across the southeast and beyond.
“On behalf of the Southeastern Electric Exchange and our membership, it is my pleasure to present the South Georgia Technical College Foundation with this $25,000 grant for partial or full scholarships for students demonstrating financial need who have been accepted into the South Georgia Tech Electric Lineworker program,” said Scott H. Smith, Executive Director of S.E.E.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford thanked Scott Smith and S.E.E. for the grant to the SGTC Foundation in support of the college’s Electrical Lineworker program and its students. “This partnership and the scholarship support for our students is a great way to ensure a quality workforce for your members, while also developing and enhancing operational and technical resources in the southeast with the manpower needed to provide storm restoration services to impacted communities.
“South Georgia Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker Program is a true partnership between business and industry, the college and students. We provide business and industry with a trained workforce quickly, while fulfilling our mission to students by providing the skills needed to be successful in their chosen career field,” explained Dr. Watford. “The business and industry partners also support the program through donations of equipment and scholarships funds to the South Georgia Technical College Foundation.”
The SGTC Electrical Lineworker program is a 12-semester hour, eight-week class that meets Monday through Thursday. Students receive training on the proper use of lineworker tools, lineworker simulation, power industrial truck operation, and electrical safety. The skills field training includes learning to climb poles safely, working on electrical connections at high altitudes, and the operation of power trucks and trailers and other equipment. During the observation-based training, students are able to observe 30 hours of lineworker’s performing their job duties with partnering power companies. Students are guaranteed a job interview with utility companies upon successful completion of the program.
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 specialized utility trucks and trailers carrying electrical poles.
SGTC has a 99% job placement rate and nearly 1000 students have graduated from this eight-week program. 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 within two years with overtime and storm duty.
South Georgia Technical is one of only two technical colleges in Georgia with on-campus housing. Lineworker students can live on-campus in double-occupancy rooms for $1550 each for the eight-week class. That price includes 19 meals per week and access to free WIFI. The tuition cost for the 12-hour program is currently $1675. Georgia residents are eligible for the HOPE Grant and HOPE Career Grant, which covers most of the tuition costs and fees.
The college offers over 200 associate degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit classes. The college has a 99% job placement rate 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.
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. For more information about how to support student scholarships through the South Georgia Technical College Foundation, contact Executive Director Su Ann Bird at 229-931-2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu.