South Georgia Technical College’s Owen Payne receives Georgia Power Electrical Lineworker scholarship

      South Georgia Technical College Electrical Lineworker student Owen Payne of Enigma, GA, was awarded the Georgia Power Electrical Lineworker Scholarship recently.  The scholarship was awarded based on work ethics, academics, and overall class performance.  

   South Georgia Technical College Electrical Lineworker instructors as well as Electrical Lineworker students were on hand when South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford and SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird made the presentation.

    “We would like to thank the Georgia Power Company for their support of South Georgia Technical College students and for their support of the SGTC Foundation,” said SGTC President Dr. John Watford.  “Georgia Power’s support of our students, the foundation and college is very important.  Georgia Power is helping students and the college ‘celebrate success’ with these scholarship opportunities.  We appreciate what you have done in the past and continue to do for the college, the faculty, staff, and most importantly, our students.”

   SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement Su Ann Bird shared that scholarships create opportunities for students to gain the skills and education offered by SGTC.  “Scholarships are an essential means to help students attain the skills and knowledge to enter the workforce and give back to our communities,” said Bird.  “Partnerships like this benefit employers, employees, and our communities.  Our students are so fortunate to have this type of support from our business partners.”

   Payne thanked South Georgia Technical College for offering the Electrical Lineworker program and Georgia Power for initiating the scholarship.  “This scholarship will be a benefit to me in my future career.  It has provided an initial kickstart and allowed me to pursue a great career.  I want to build a career for myself as a lineman because I believe I have the learning attitude and ability to help those in need of the services I will be trained to provide,” said Payne.  “I am very thankful for this opportunity and I hope to excel in this field.”

   South Georgia Technical College partnered with power companies, electric cooperatives and others to initiate the Electrical Lineworker Program in 2005.  There was a need by these companies to 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 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 have the opportunity to earn a CDL Class A or B license.  To be employed as an electrical lineworker, students must be able to drive the truck and trailers utilized in repairing and restoring electricity and electrical lines.

     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.