Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) received a $200,000 grant from Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) and Gas South to expand its Power Line Worker Training School. Over the last decade, more than 700 individuals have completed the program, which lasts 11 weeks and currently has a waiting list due to high demand for qualified graduates.
Quentin Johnson, SVCC’s President, highlighted the challenges of meeting the growing interest from potential students. Graduates, like Hayden Albrich, leave the program with industry-recognized credentials, ensuring they’re ready for immediate employment. Albrich expressed his motivation to become a lineman, emphasizing the sense of purpose in restoring power after outages.
Carley Stephens from Gas South noted a talent acquisition crisis within the energy industry as many experienced workers retire and the demand for qualified workers intensifies. The success of the SVCC program has prompted the Virginia Community College System to expand it to more locations across the state.
The initiative reflects a broader commitment to cultivating the next generation of skilled workers in the energy sector.
