The Columbia State Community College Office of Workforce and Continuing Education recently hosted a Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy Mini-Rodeo that allowed students to demonstrate the skills they learned during the seven-week program.

“We are proud of this program and our partnerships with the local utilities and municipalities in our area for their support,” said Melody Murphy, Columbia State Workforce and Continuing Education director. “Without them, we would not be able to provide this program for our community. As more lineworkers are reaching retirement this is a perfect opportunity for participants to get started in this industry, and we are happy to be just a small part of that.”

Upon completion of the program, the students received a Tennessee Valley Public Power Association climbing certification, first aid and CPR certifications, 10-hour safety card and flagging certification. In addition, the students are prepared to sit for a commercial driver’s license.

During the mini-rodeo, students competed in different activities including the 80-foot pole climb, bell change and switch transfer. 

In the first activity, students climb up and down an 80-foot pole, which is a necessary part of the TVPPA Climbing Lab Certification. In this activity, Caden Pigue from Columbia came in first place, Christopher Carroll from Hohenwald came in second place and Harrison Gobble came in third place.

The bell change and switch transfer are activities lineman would do in the field as a result of lightning, loose connections or replacement of aging materials to maintain electricity for those in the service area.

In the bell change, students climb a 40-foot pole and change out the bell that holds the line to the pole. In this activity, Kolby Lynn from Loretto came in first place, Caden Pigue came in second place and Christopher Carroll came in third place.

In the switch transfer, students climb a 40-foot pole to change out the switch attached to the cross-arm of the pole. In this activity, Caden Pigue came in first place, Kolby Lynn came in second place and Ashby Cummings from Lawrenceburg came in third place.

In the overall rodeo, Caden Pigue came in first place, Kolby Lynn came in second place and Christopher Carroll came in third place. 

In addition to his performance in the rodeo, Caden Pigue was presented with the Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy Outstanding Student Award.

The Pre-Apprentice Lineworker program is a result of communities from across Middle Tennessee coming together to fill a need in the workforce. 

For more information about the program, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Lineworker. Upcoming cohorts are scheduled for October 2022 and March 2023. All individuals interested in the program should register through the link and it will place them on a waitlist for future classes.