Mississippi Power, MGCCC sign MOU for Lineworker Training Program
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Mississippi Power signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Electric Lineworker Training program on September 14. With 15 students, training in the program began September 6 at the college.
“We look forward to completing training for this class of students in the next few months so that they are prepared and have the opportunity to find a career that is in demand and will pay them well,” Dr. Jonathan Woodward, executive vice president of Teaching and Learning/Community Campus, said. “It is always exciting to offer such a quality program to the community, and we appreciate our partnership with Mississippi Power that has allowed it to happen.”
The 13-week program is offered at no cost to students. It provides them specialized instruction in certification areas required by the electrical power industry. Upon completion, students are prepared for an entry-level position as an electrical power-line installer or repairer. The curriculum focuses on basic safety, basic electricity, pole climbing, and bucket truck operation, along with other basic skills needed for entry-level work in the utilities field.
“Linemen are some of the first people to respond to natural disasters and immediately begin restoring the quality of life and a sense of normalcy to those impacted,” said Mississippi Power President and CEO Anthony Wilson. “There are significant shortages of electric lineworkers across the United States, and it is not for the faint of heart. I’m proud of these students for enrolling in this program and taking the necessary steps to become a lineworker.”
An additional MOU will be signed by Mississippi Power with the MGCCC Foundation for the donation of a material handler bucket truck and a digger derrick truck for use in lineworker training.
Now in its 97th year of operations, Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and affordable energy for more than 191,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Mississippi Power was honored with a Community Partner Impact Award from the Center for Energy Workforce Development for its innovative and ongoing efforts to build a diverse workforce. The Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve recently recognized Mississippi Power for its commitment to its military workforce. Mississippi Power has nearly 160MW of solar capacity at four locations across the company’s service territory, including Southern Company’s first project to combine the latest, cutting-edge solar technology with battery storage. Visit our websites at mississippipower.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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