Huntsville Utilities and the Tennessee Valley Authority are partnering to create a $100,000 scholarship at Calhoun Community College to train utility lineworkers. Both companies are committing $50,000 each to the scholarship.
The scholarship will be used by students enrolled in Calhoun’s pre-apprentice lineworker program.
“We have an immediate need for lineworkers and we need to get them trained right away,” said Harry Hobbs, vice president for employee engagement at Huntsville Utilities. “We are excited about this opportunity to provide a path for individuals in our service area to receive training that could lead to a career in the utility industry.”
TVA is the largest public power company in the United States, providing electricity to 153 power companies like Huntsville Utilities.
“TVA has over 16,000 miles of power lines that crisscross seven states plus approximately 263,000 miles of lines that our 153 local power companies have,” said Jared Mitchem, regional vice president for TVA South Region. “As electricity demand grows, we need a skilled workforce to provide clean, low-cost, reliable power.”
The seven-week training course will take place at the Calhoun Lineworkers Pole Yard on its main campus in Decatur. The Madison County Commission is providing a vehicle and a driver to transport students from Huntsville Utilities to the training site. The scholarships are earmarked for the Huntsville Utilities service area.
“Our program provides the necessary skills and training desired by utility companies and contractors across North Alabama. In fact, most of our students have jobs waiting for them when they complete the program,” said Jimmy Hodges, president of Calhoun Community College.
The Calhoun Community College Foundation will manage the funding, scholarship criteria and selection process. Calhoun is taking applications for the scholarships this week. To register visit: https://forms.gle/viTi4J98cPK8y3Yi7.
