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Staff Reports

 Taylor County’s Brandon Winters received the South Georgia Technical College Foundation Flint Energies Electrical Lineworker Scholarship recently.  The Flint Energies Electrical Lineworker Scholarship was awarded based on work ethics, academics, and overall class performance.

     Winters of Butler, GA, received the scholarship funded by Flint Energies Operation Round Up. He thanked Flint Energies, South Georgia Technical College and the SGTC Foundation for providing this type of scholarship experience for him and others.

   “While enrolled in the Electrical Lineworker program at South Georgia Technical College, I have not had any source of income, so I am very grateful for this scholarship,” said Winters.  “Although I do have a loving family who would have happily helped me with my financial needs, I have never been a person who liked to ask for anything.  So, I have been relying on savings to get me through the eight-week course.  This scholarship will be a tremendous asset to me as I move forward and get started in my new career.”

   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, and 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 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 trucks and trailers utilized in repairing and restoring electricity and electrical lines.

     Nearly 1000 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.

     For more information about the Electrical Lineworker program at South Georgia Technical College contact Tami Blount at 229-931-2040 or tblount@southgatech.edu.