Electric Line Construction Academy Graduates Recognized

Nash Community College held a ceremony on Thursday, May 3, 2018 in Brown Auditorium for its Electric Line Construction Academy celebrating 23 students’ completion of the 16-week certificate program.

“Upon successful completion of the training, our students can go anywhere they want. There is a huge demand for linemen across the industry right now due to retirement,” Instructor Jon O’Boyle said. “NCC Line Construction graduates have career options to earn a great living wage. They may seek employment with their local municipality or cooperative and be home most nights, or they could travel the country as a contractor building power lines,” O’Boyle continued.

During the program, students prepared for line construction careers in rural and utility settings through laboratory and practical applications, with safety as an embedded emphasis. They mastered competencies including elements of electricity, overhead pole and electrical line construction, safety codes and applications, electric power system, transformer installations, and more. Each student also earned OSHA, CDL and CPR certifications through the training.

“NCC enjoys strong longstanding relationships with major employers in the utility industry. Employers such as Duke Energy, North Carolina’s Electric Membership Cooperatives, ElectriCities of North Carolina and others often visit campus for training and recruiting, and remark that NCC serves as a primary feeder for employees seeking careers with their companies,” NCC Vice President, Corporate and Economic Development and Chief Economic Officer Wendy Marlowe said. “These graduates are undoubtedly well-prepared and on their way to a lifelong career.”