Forsyth Tech’s Electrical Linemen Program, located at the college’s Northwest Forsyth Center in King, is earning a national reputation for its affordability, top-notch instruction, state-of-the-art facilities and job placement statistics. And thanks to scholarships made available through the Fallen Linemen Foundation, a limited number of qualified students each year can participate in the program expense free.
The Fallen Linemen Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting linemen and their families, awards two $1,000 scholarships per year to qualifying students enrolled in a North Carolina electrical linemen program. Since the spring of 2014, five Forsyth Tech students have received scholarships, which cover all program-related costs, including registration fees, parking, work boots for climbing poles, and books.
Bill Adams, Forsyth Tech’s director of Occupational Extension who runs the lineman program, says, “Our program is known for its incredibly low cost, but with the scholarship opportunities we offer, choosing our program is an easy decision.”
The five Forsyth Tech students who have received scholarships to date include:
* Spring 2014: Nick O’ Donnell and Gabriel Leftwich
* Fall 2014: Aaron Greene and Justin Wackerly
* Spring 2015: Josh Pilcher
Forsyth Tech’s nine-week lineman program in King, which is offered five times throughout the year with a cap of 24 students per class, is the only Electrical Lineman Accredited Training and Education Facility in North Carolina. The program provides students with the academic and field skills necessary to qualify as entry-level line workers.
More than 80% of graduates from the program receive job offers upon completion. Pike Enterprises, an industry sponsor for the program, has hired nearly half of the graduates. Other employers include Duke Energy, American Lighting & Signalization, Utility Lines Construction Service, City of High Point and many others.
As its lineman program continues to grow, Forsyth Tech is attracting students from across the country, including New York, Ohio, Florida and California, who seek the quality training and employment opportunities the program offers.
Adams notes, “We’ve got a whole lot going for us: experienced staff, great advisory committee, and a commitment to keep the program current and valuable. We’re glad our graduates are satisfied and spreading the word.”
Since it was first introduced in 2010, the program has trained nearly 400 new linemen.
Forsyth Tech provides students with flexible educational pathways to a competitive workforce for the community and global economy. The college offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in more than 200 programs of study, including programs that promote personal and professional development through non-credit courses and seminars, as well as customized training for business and industry. Forsyth Tech is the fifth largest community college in North Carolina and serves more than 35,000 students with approximately 1,500 full and part-time faculty and staff.
