South Louisiana Community College is working with several leaders in the utilities industry to bring a new Power Lineman course to its Crowley campus this winter.
LUS, CLECO, SLEMCO, and Entergy have partnered with the community college to offer this program to the Acadian Campus. The industry partners have shown their support through the donation of equipment needed to train the local workforce to begin a career as a Certified Line Worker.
“Entergy is very excited to support the Power Lineman Training Program at SLCC. We look forward to improving our workforce, which will directly impact the communities we serve,” said Darlene Richardson, Utility Learning and Development Manager for Entergy.
This short-term training program will last between 16 to 25 weeks, depending on if the student currently holds a Commercial Driver’s License. Graduates of the program will obtain NCCER certification, be qualified for employment as a line helper, and receive job placement assistance.
“LUS looks forward to the start of this program to help provide the local electric suppliers with future well-educated and trained linemen for their work force,” said Gregg Labbe’, Electric Operations Manager for Lafayette Utilities System (LUS).
The Power Lineman course will be led by instructor Eric Fontenot, who has experience in the safety and energy market. Fontenot has a Bachelor Degree from Columbia Southern University in Occupational Safety and an Associate’s Degree from Louisiana State University at Eunice (LSUE) in Fire and Emergency Safety Services.
To qualify for enrollment in this course, program applicants must pass drug and background checks, have a valid driver’s license, and be comfortable working at heights.
SLCC established the Corporate College in 2015 to offer continuing education courses, leisure learning programs, and customized training for businesses at its campuses across Acadiana. Short-term training programs to prepare community members to meet the demands of area businesses is the focus of Corporate College.
For more information about the Power Lineman program, contact SLCC’s Corporate College at 337-521-9028 or workforce@solacc.edu.
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