GNTC honors Electrical Lineworker graduates for fall 2024

Thirteen students graduated on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Electrical Lineworker program during a ceremony at GNTC’s Polk County Campus in Rockmart.

The students experienced a vigorous, 10-week training program that included donated equipment such as trucks, poles and climbing equipment, as well as hands-on expertise from GNTC instructors. Upon completing the program, students received four certificates of completion for Electrical Lineworker, a restricted Class A Commercial Truck Driving (CDL) license, OSHA 10-Hour General Industry and an overall certificate verifying 395 training hours completed. The program is offered through GNTC’s Office of Economic Development.

“Over the years, I’ve worked disasters where the storms would come through and witnessed situations where power was out for extended periods, and you guys were like the cavalry,” Rockmart Mayor Sherman Ross told the graduates.

The fall 2024 cohort is the sixth cohort of the program since it began in fall 2022.

“Including these young gentlemen, this is 87 lineworkers that GNTC has graduated and put into an industry that we all depend on,” said Judy Roddenberry, CDL instructor at GNTC. “These graduates are certified for utility companies. They are ready to fill entry-level lineworker positions and have the foundational knowledge to advance their skills.”

Graduates from GNTC’s Electrical Lineworker program for fall 2024 are (from left, front row) Memphis Hudgens, Anthony Wilson, Chase O’Neal, Jovanny Martinez Cordero, Peyton Pope, Pacey Smith; (back row) Braxton Vinson, Mason Reid Crozier, Bragen Fischel, Antony Morales Avalos, Christopher Braden Barrett, Brayden Cole and Ryan Turley.

GNTC’s Electrical Lineworker program continues to expand, according to Roddenberry.  GNTC hosted a ribbon cutting Nov. 6 for the new CDL driving range at the Polk County Campus. The new driving range and the current range will be used to train and certify students for a restricted Class A CDL license as part of the Electrical Lineworker Program. Class B CDL training and certification will also be made available to the public. Business and industry partners will provide both Class A and/or Class B CDL training as an opportunity to upskill current employees.

Graduates from the sixth cohort of the program are Antony Morales Avalos, Christopher Braden Barrett, Brayden Cole, Jovanny Martinez Cordero, Mason Reid Crozier, Bragen Fischel, Memphis Hudgens, Michael Lee, Chase O’Neal, Peyton Pope, Pacey Smith, Ryan Turley, Braxton Vinson and Anthony Wilson.

The next cohort of GNTC’s Electrical Lineworker program starts Jan. 6 and still has openings. For more information about the program,contact the Office of Economic Development.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths. This past year, 12,241 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,031 students and an additional enrollment of 4,210 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start