May 09, 2024 | Inspiring Success , Workforce Development , Columbia Campus , Featured , Student Success

Columbia State Celebrates Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Cohort with Mini-Rodeo

Columbia State Celebrates Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Cohort with Mini-Rodeo

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.

Pictured (left to right): Columbia State Community College Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy Mini-Rodeo overall winners Ethan Hardison from Culleoka in third place, Garth Marchant from Pulaski in second place and Trevor Gleyze from Columbia in first place.
Pictured (left to right): Columbia State Community College Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy Mini-Rodeo overall winners Ethan Hardison from Culleoka in third place, Garth Marchant from Pulaski in second place and Trevor Gleyze from Columbia in first place.

 

“I am continuously proud of the Pre-Apprentice Lineworker program, and I am grateful for the opportunity to spotlight the participants at the rodeo,” said Melody Murphy, Columbia State Workforce and Continuing Education director. “These events not only highlight the technical skills developed by our participants over the past seven weeks but also underscore the significant partnerships we've forged with local utilities and municipalities across Middle Tennessee. It's a testament to the dedication of our participants and the collaborative spirit within our community.”

Upon completion of the program, the students received a Tennessee Valley Public Power Association climbing certification, first aid and CPR certifications, OSHA 10 with ET&D certification and NSC flagger certification. In addition, the students are prepared to sit for a commercial driver’s license.

Gavin Rector from Thompson’s Station completes the 80-foot pole climb..jpg
Gavin Rector from Thompson’s Station completes the 80-foot pole climb.

 

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, Trevor Gleyze from Columbia came in first place, Jacob Gregg from Chapel Hill came in second place and Garth Marchant from Pulaski came in third place.

Jacob Johnson from Pulaski completes the bell change.
Jacob Johnson from Pulaski completes the bell change.

 

The bell change and switch transfer are activities linemen 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, Garth Marchant from Pulaski came in first place, Ethan Hardison from Culleoka came in second place and Jacob Gregg from Chapel Hill 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, Ethan Hardison from Culleoka came in first place, Garth Marchant from Pulaski came in second place and Trevor Gleyze came in third place.

Jaden Davis from Dickson completes the switch change..jpg
Jaden Davis from Dickson completes the switch change.

 

In the overall rodeo, Trevor Gleyze from Columbia came in first place, Garth Marchant from Pulaski came in second place and Ethan Hardison from Culleoka came in third place.

In addition to his performance in the rodeo, Keivarian Barner from Columbia was presented with the Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy Outstanding Student Award.

Keivarian Barner from Columbia receives the Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy Outstanding Student Award..jpg
Keivarian Barner from Columbia receives the Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy Outstanding Student Award.

 

Ten scholarships were awarded through grants from the United Way of Greater Nashville’s (UWGN) Transformation Fund and the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI).

Pictured (left to right): United Way of Greater Nashville’s Transformation Fund scholarship recipients Jaden Davis from Dickson, Logan Summers from Spring Hill and Adam Gilliland from College Grove..jpg
Pictured (left to right): United Way of Greater Nashville’s Transformation Fund scholarship recipients Jaden Davis from Dickson, Logan Summers from Spring Hill and Adam Gilliland from College Grove.

 

United Way of Greater Nashville’s Transformation Fund scholarship recipient Gavin Rector from Thompson’s Station..jpg
United Way of Greater Nashville’s Transformation Fund scholarship recipient Gavin Rector from Thompson’s Station.

 

UWGN’s Transformation Fund is intended to fuel transformational outcomes across the UWGN multi-county footprint by investing in several priority areas, including workforce development.  Funding for the Transformation Fund was provided to UWGN by a generous gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

Pictured (on pole, left to right): Metallica Scholars Initiative recipients Jacob Johnson from Pulaski and Keivarian Barner, Columbia. Standing (left to right): Nathan Jackson from Caro, MI; McAdams Wilson from Columbia; Jacob Gregg from Chapel Hill; Garth Marchant from Pulaski; Ethan Hardison from Culleoka; and Trevor Gleyze from Columbia.
Pictured (on pole, left to right): Metallica Scholars Initiative recipients Jacob Johnson from Pulaski and Keivarian Barner, Columbia. Standing (left to right): Nathan Jackson from Caro, MI; McAdams Wilson from Columbia; Jacob Gregg from Chapel Hill; Garth Marchant from Pulaski; Ethan Hardison from Culleoka; and Trevor Gleyze from Columbia.

 

MSI was launched in 2019 by Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to provide workforce opportunities for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to find meaningful and well-paying careers in fields and positions. Columbia State is the first community college in Tennessee to receive a MSI grant.

The Pre-Apprentice Lineworker program is a result of communities from across Middle Tennessee coming together to fill a need in the workforce. After the rodeo, participants will complete their CDL skills training to test for their CDL Class A-57 license and be ready to join the industry as an apprentice lineworker. 

For more information about the program, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Lineworker. Upcoming cohorts are scheduled for summer and fall 2024. All individuals interested in the program should register through the link and it will place them on a contact list for future classes. Scholarships will be available, and interested participants can sign up for the contact list at www.campusce.net/columbiastate/course/course.aspx?catId=6.