Georgia Power officials visit SGTC and tour Electrical Lineworker program

May 6, 2021
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford is shown above (l to r) with Georgia Power Officials visiting the South Georgia Technical College Americus campus and the Electrical Lineworker program. They include Georgia Power local Manager Don Porter, Distribution Supervisor Robert Lofton, Safety and Health Advisor Barry Forrest, Distribution Operating Manager Shane Ammons, Distribution Supervisor Jason McInvale, and Engineering Supervisor Justin Lee.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford is shown above (l to r) with Georgia Power Officials visiting the South Georgia Technical College Americus campus and the Electrical Lineworker program. They include Georgia Power local Manager Don Porter, Distribution Supervisor Robert Lofton, Safety and Health Advisor Barry Forrest, Distribution Operating Manager Shane Ammons, Distribution Supervisor Jason McInvale, and Engineering Supervisor Justin Lee.

     Six individuals from the Georgia Power Company met with South Georgia Technical College officials recently to receive updates, tour South Georgia Technical College, and visit the college’s Electrical Lineworker Apprentice program area and skills field.

     South Georgia Technical College was the first technical college in Georgia to offer an eight-week Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Certificate Training Course to help students obtain entry-level employment with regional utility companies.  This was done in response to industry demands.  The first class began in 2005 and since that time, SGTC has trained hundreds of students who have been hired in the electrical industry.

    “South Georgia Technical College is very appreciative of the partnerships that we have with businesses and industries,” said South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford.  “Their commitment and support are vital to the success of our college, students, communities and this state.  Georgia Power was an integral part of creating the Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Certificate Training Course and we value their input as well as the input we receive from our other industry partners.”

    South Georgia Technical College Board of Directors Chairman Don Porter, who is the local manager for Georgia Power, met with the group and gave them a tour of the SGTC Skills Field, classroom area, and a tour of the college which also provides its Electrical Lineworker students with CDL training in addition to the other required training.

    “We appreciate the opportunity to work with industry partners to be able to help provide them with a trained workforce,” said President Watford.  “In an effort to maintain and improve our programs, curriculum and delivery strategies, we ask for input from representatives of the businesses that hire our graduates.  This is critical in order for us to remain effective and relevant.  It is also imperative that we provide business and industry with the trained workforce they need.”

    The Georgia Power officials visiting South Georgia Technical College included:  Don Porter, Local Manager; Robert Lofton, Distribution Supervisor and SGTC CDL alumni; Barry Forrest, Safety and Health Advisor; Shane Ammons, Distribution Operating Manager; Jason McInvale, Distribution Supervisor; and Justin Lee, Engineering Supervisor.

     Individuals interested in learning more or signing up for the Electrical Lineworker program at South Georgia Technical College can contact Tami Blount at tblount@southgatech.edu or call 229-931-2040.   South Georgia Technical College also offers over 200 different associate degree, diploma or technical certificate of credit programs.

     Registration is currently underway for Summer Semester which begins May 25, 2021.  To apply or register for Summer Semester contact the admissions office at SGTC at 229-931-2394 in Americus or 229-271-4040 in Cordele.