Flipping a light switch, dialing down the thermostat, cooking dinner – electricity enables many everyday tasks. But ever wonder what it takes to power homes and businesses across our state? Behind the scenes, lineworkers and support personnel are making it happen.

Bishop State, Jefferson State, Lawson State and Trenholm State community colleges are investing in the future by offering technical training programs to prepare students for careers in the skilled trades. As part of its ongoing commitment to workforce development, Alabama Power partners with these colleges to offer lineworker training programs in Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile.

Through this innovative partnership, students can learn the fundamentals of electricity as well as the math and science knowledge needed to work on power lines. In addition to classroom instruction, students receive hands-on practice in an outdoor learning laboratory, honing their new skills so they are job-ready upon graduation.

Applications are being accepted for the January and April 2023 sessions. The application period ends Aug. 31, 2022. Some scholarships and financial assistance are available.

N’Kiyah Johnson, a graduate of the Lawson State program, said she appreciated the expertise of the instructors, the skills learned through the program and the job security of the lineworker career.

N’Kiyah Johnson shares her experience in Alabama’s lineworker training program at Lawson State Community College from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Interested students can apply at Bishop State Community College, Jefferson State Community College, Lawson State Community College or Trenholm State Community College.