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

“I cannot say enough good things about this program,” said Melody Murphy, Columbia State Workforce and Continuing Education director. “It provides a great opportunity for participants and has provided us with wonderful partnerships throughout Middle Tennessee. We are grateful for the utilities and municipalities that contributed to this program’s implementation and those that partner with it to make it a continued success.”

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, Jaden Coffin from Mount Juliet came in first place, Samuel Trout from Columbia came in second place and William Johnson from Arrington 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, William Johnson came in first place, Brycen Dozier from Lebanon came in second place and Jaden Coffin 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, William Johnson came in first place, Alyx Smith from McMinnville came in second place and Jaden Coffin came in third place.

In the overall rodeo, William Johnson came in first place, Jaden Coffin came in second place and Brycen Dozier came in third place. 

In addition to his performance in the rodeo, Jaden Coffin 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. An upcoming cohort is scheduled for March 2023. All individuals interested in the program should register through the link and it will place them on a waitlist for future classes.