Calhoun Community College was recently energized with confirmation from the Tennessee Valley Authority and Huntsville Utilities that they will continue to partner in addressing the region’s lineworker shortage, as they each presented $50,000 in checks to the college for its Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Program.

The partnership was originally created to address the exponential growth in the Huntsville-Madison County population, which led to a demand for services resulting in an increased need for utility lineworkers.

“If this opportunity were to have a price tag on it, it would total over $10K,” Dr. Jimmy Hodges, Calhoun President, said. “Words cannot express how grateful and humbled we feel here at Calhoun to be entrusted by TVA and Huntsville Utilities to play a vital role in training the next generation of lineworkers.”

The seven-week accelerated program was designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills and qualifications desired by utility companies and contractors in the North Central Alabama region.

The $100,000 in scholarship funding will help train and educate future utility lineworkers on Calhoun’s lineworker yard across from its Decatur campus.

According to Harry Hobbs, vice president of employee engagement at Huntsville Utilities, these scholarships will remove all barriers to the program for at least ten lucky recipients.

Not only will the scholarships cover the applicant’s tuition, but it will also provide roundtrip transportation services to the class training, a daily gift card for lunch, free mentorship and a bag equipped with basic lineworker tools upon graduation.

“I can’t begin to say how much of a life changing opportunity this is for anyone who enters into this program,” Hodges added. “As the training will almost guarantee them a job, with the number of lineworkers companies are seeking to hire daily in this region.”

The TVA has more than 16,000 miles of power lines that cross seven states, plus approximately 263,000 miles of lines that are managed by 153 local power companies.

“As electricity demand increases, it is crucial to have a skilled workforce to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable power,” Mark Brown, community relations manager for TVA South Alabama, said. “Through our partnership with Huntsville Utilities and Calhoun Community College, we are committed to recruiting and training the talent necessary to develop the energy system of the future.”

This scholarship is specifically for Madison County residents who are interested in the program.

The next class will be held Monday, Oct. 28, through Friday, Dec. 13. To learn more or to apply for the future program and/or scholarship, visit www.calhoun.edu/lineworker.