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.

In the overall rodeo, Hayden Brandon from College Grove came in first place, Jaylun Wilks from Gallatin came in second place and Rylee Jeans from Petersburg came in third place.

“This program stands out because of our incredible instructors and the strong partnerships we have with local utilities and municipalities,” said Tiffany Odom, Columbia State Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education coordinator. “I want to sincerely thank all of our partners who make this program possible — whether through equipment donations, providing facility access, maintaining the pole yard, or volunteering for mock interviews. Their support is essential to the success of both the program and its participants.”

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.

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, Hayden Brandon from College Grove came in first place, Jaylen Milton from Gallatin came in second place and Cameron Nelms from Tullahoma came in third place.

The bell change and switch transfer are activities linemen would do in the field because 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, Hayden Brandon from College Grove came in first place, Jaylun Wilks from Gallatin came in second place and Jaylen Milton from Columbia 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, Cameron Nelms from Tullahoma came in first place, Hayden Brandon from College Grove came in second place and Jaylun Wilks from Gallatin came in third place.

In addition to his performance in the rodeo, Erik Jacobson from Goodlettsville was presented with the Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy Outstanding Student Award.

11 scholarships were awarded through grants from the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI).

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 fall 2025 and spring 2026. All individuals interested in the program should register through the link to be placed 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.