Pictured is the November 2021 graduating Electrical Lineworker class that includes Brandon Benoy (Albemarle), Michael Eudy (Stanfield), Logun Gray (Bennett), Preston Green (Seagrove), Garrett Kinney (Asheboro), Noah Kiser (Midland), Matthew Mihalic (Snover, Michigan), Braxton Montgomery (Asheboro), Phillip Price (Norwood), Brandon Rezy (Concord), and Jacob Taylor (Peachland). Pictured at the top of the pole in the bucket is SCC Electrical Lineworker Program Head, Ricky Carpenter. Standing at the bottom of the pole is Electrical Lineworker Instructor, Roger Carpenter.
Albemarle, NC – Students at Stanly Community College (SCC) recently completed their 12-week training program for the Electrical Lineworker certificate. Family, friends, and guests gathered for the graduation ceremony that was held for the students on the Albemarle campus on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.
The Electrical Lineworker program teaches students basic elements of electricity, overhead pole and electrical line construction, safety codes and applications, electric power systems, as well as transformer and meter installations. On successful completion of the program, students will possess the necessary skills for employment in various electrical utility industries.
At the graduation ceremony, Jeff Parsons, Vice President of Academic Affairs/Chief Academic Officer, welcomed the graduates and thanked the guests for attending. He encouraged the students to work hard and to stay safe in their new careers.
Devin Baucom, Associate Vice President, Advanced Manufacturing, Industry, Technology, and Trades, recognized the faculty and staff who helped the graduates complete their training.
Josh Aldridge, Dean of Advanced Manufacturing, Industry, and Trades, acknowledged the scholarship funding that made it possible for some students to be able to take the Electrical Lineworker program. Several scholarship programs provided funding to the students and they include the Golden LEAF Scholarship, Will Hughes Scholarship, and the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Scholarship program.
Ricky Carpenter, Electrical Lineworker Program Head, congratulated the students, and encouraged them to make safety their top priority and wished them well in their new careers.
Guest speaker Donnie Jessup, Regional Safety Superintendent, Utility Lines Construction Services, LLC, spoke to the graduates about their career and safety.
Electrical utility line workers and technicians will typically do the following: drive work vehicles to job sites; install, maintain, or repair the power lines that move and distribute electricity; identify defective devices, circuit breakers, fuses, voltage regulators, transformers, and switches; and inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment. Additionally, they will string power lines between poles and buildings; climb poles and use truck-mounted buckets to get to equipment; operate power equipment when installing and repairing poles and lines; and follow safety standards and procedures. Training also includes OSHA 10-Hour Construction Certificate and CPR/First Aid Training Certificate, among other topics.
According to ESMI Data (www.economicmodeling.com), potential medium yearly income in this region for Electrical Power Line Installers and Repairers is $73,340, and future job growth is expected to reach 760 jobs by 2026.
For more information about the Electrical Lineworker program, contact Karen Kiker at (704) 991-0233 or kkiker7483@stanly.edu.