Lineworker students set to showcase their skills
 

Students are set to complete the Lake-Sumter State College’s Lineworker Boot Camp next week after an intensive six-week course preparing them for a competitive and high-demand career as a lineworker.

Lineworkers may not be a household name, but their work impacts all of us – especially during storm season. Lineworkers and related career specialties are critical to the energy industry as utilities work to maintain, strengthen, and upgrade the electric grid in Florida and throughout the country. Utility companies have invested billions of dollars in maintaining and strengthening their systems and these investments will continue in the future.

Man in hard hat sits on yellow utility truck explains something to student looking up at him
LSSC Electric Utility Institute instructor Randall Blackburn shows lineworker student Carvel Taylor how to safely operate the hydraulic lift on a standard bucket truck.

LSSC’s Energy Utility Institute offers industry-aligned curriculum and training that reduces on-the-job training time for employers – making students completing LSSC’s programs more attractive candidates for employment.

“The best part of this program has been the hands-on experience that you can’t get from books alone,” says Carvel Taylor, a current Lineworker Boot Camp student. “The instructors share their knowledge every day and also provide an individual experience by coaching each of us to improve our skills.”

In addition to providing the lineworker training basics, LSSC’s boot camp program prepares students for the Construction and Skilled Trade Selection System examination (CAST) – a nationally recognized and common requirement for anyone seeking employment in the industry.

“I feel confident and prepared to begin my new career,” says Tyler Rorah, a current Lineworker Boot Camp student. “I learned real-world lessons from teachers who have a lot of experience as lineworkers. I’m excited to get started at my first job in this career.”

On July 8th, electric utilities from across the state have been invited to a Skills Exhibition where the students can showcase the skills they’ve learned the last six weeks, including digging and setting a utility pole, climbing utility poles, and pole-top rescues.

Lineworker students climbing on their utility poles
Lineworker Boot Camp students practice their pole climbing skills at LSSC’s Electric Utility Institute in Sumter County.

The Lineworker Boot Camp is designed as a rapid credentialing program to get students qualified for high-skill, high-wage jobs in the state of Florida. Students can articulate this coursework into certificate and degree programs at Lake-Sumter State College.