‘This will be a tremendous asset’: Local technical college student receives Flint Energies scholarship

Ben Parker
·2 min read

AMERICUS, Ga. (WRBL) — A Georgia college student recently received a scholarship from a nearby college.

Taylor County’s Brandon Winters received the South Georgia Technical College Foundation Flint Energies Electrical Lineworker Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded based on “work ethics, academics, and overall class performance” and funded by Flint Energies Operation Round Up.

Winters thanked Flint Energies, South Georgia Technical College and the SGTC Foundation. “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.

Winters added, “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 to help replace or replenish retiring workers.

Students in the Electrical Lineworker Apprentice program undergo training both inside the classroom and outside. Inside, students learn AC/DC electrical theory, field training, occupational safety, teamwork, line construction theory, line clearance, rigging, transformers, basic telecommunications, and utility metering. Outside, students work with electrical poles and observation-based on-the-job training.

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 can 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 appropriate trucks and trailers.

Nearly 1,000 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, according to SGTC.

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

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