HAMLET – Richmond Community College will hold orientation for its new Electric Lineman program on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m. in the Grimsley Building, room 103, on main campus in Hamlet.
The first-ever Electric Lineman class at RichmondCC will begin Monday, Nov. 26, with Scott Caulder of Rockingham preparing the next generation of linemen for a safe and successful career in the power distribution industry.
Caulder, who has 27 years of experience in the industry working for Pee Dee Electric, was hired to be the coordinator for the program. Caulder got his lineman training at Nash Community College, so he is looking forward to bringing this type of skills training to his hometown. Along with being the instructor, he will be recruiting students and networking to bring in business partners for the program who can help with supplies and equipment.
Caulder said he came into the power industry just as it was evolving into more bucket work and less “stick” work where a lineman climbs a utility pole with spikes to work on de-energized power lines.
“I learned how to do it the old way, so I did a lot of climbing. We worked off of spikes all day, but these days it’s all bucket work with energized lines,” Caulder said. “While I learned the old way and the new way, there really is only one way to do line work, and that’s the right way — the safe way. And that’s what we’re going to be teaching here at Richmond Community College.”
About the program
The lineman course will run nine weeks from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday with one-hour lunch breaks. Students will learn to climb poles, set and frame poles, put up and take down wire and transformers, and to operate bucket trucks. Course topics include basic elements of electricity, overhead pole and electrical line construction, safety codes and applications, electric power system, transformer and meter installations, and explorations of underground electrical distribution.
Upon completion, students will be NCCER Certified, OSHA 10 Certified and First Aid/CPR Certified, and they will hold a CDL learner permit.
About the career
The median salary for an electrical power line installer and repairer is $54,446. Entry-level workers start around $35,124, but highly experienced workers can earn up to $76,690. In the past six months, companies within this region have posted 603 job openings, so there is a demand for new people in this career field.
Requirements for registration
Individuals who would like to sign up for the program should plan to attend the orientation on Wednesday, Nov. 7. These are the course requirements:
• Copy of high school diploma or high school equivalency
• Copy of current DOT physical and drug screen
• Copy of an unrestricted driver’s license
• Copy of official driving record
• Accuplacer reading score of 60 or higher or transcript for 2-year degree or higher
Scholarships available
Funds are available through the 2nd Chance WED scholarship to help students with the costs of the course. The 2nd Chance scholarship is for students taking classes through the College’s Workforce & Economic Development division.
For information
To sign up or for more information about the Electric Lineman class, contact WED Director Angineek Gillenwater at 910-410-1848 or ajgillenwater@richmondcc.edu or program coordinator Scott Caulder at 910-410-1855 or jscaulder@richmondcc.edu. A second lineman class is scheduled to start in March 2019.
Wylie Bell is the director of marketing and communications for Richmond Community College.
