BLINN PARTNERS WITH TEEX TO TRAIN SKILLED POWER LINE WORKERS
The Blinn College District and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) have established a new pathway that places students on the fast track to high-wage positions in the high-demand power line worker field. Through this partnership, students who complete TEEX’s Lineman Academy earn valuable credit that transfers directly toward Blinn’s new Power Line Worker Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.
Students who complete TEEX’s Lineman Academy certificate program and transfer to Blinn can earn as many as 36 credit hours toward the 60-credit hour AAS degree in power line worker. Earning an AAS degree supplies graduates with highly sought-after credentials, placing them on a trajectory for greater earning potential and management positions in the field.
“We are excited to build off of the specialized training students get through TEEX’s Lineman Academy to provide a resource for students to earn an AAS degree in this high-demand skilled trade,” said Jay Anderson, Vice Chancellor, Health Sciences, Technical Education, and Community Programs. “As we witnessed first-hand with the recent winter storms here in Texas, power line workers are integral to maintaining the services we all depend on. This partnership represents Blinn and TEEX’s shared commitment to serving the region and recognizes the need and benefits of a highly trained trades workforce.”
TEEX, a member of the Texas A&M University System, offers training programs and technical assistance to the infrastructure workforce and first responders throughout Texas and abroad. TEEX’s Lineman Academy is a 480-hour certificate program that prepares students to become qualified electric power line workers through classroom and hands-on training.
“TEEX is dedicated to providing the most comprehensive training programs and technical expertise available to our students,” said Dr. Tony Tasillo, TEEX Program Manager for Education Outreach and Career Services. “This collaboration provides our Lineman Academy graduates a unique educational pathway to continue their training, which increases their career opportunities and benefits the Brazos Valley.”
Launched this Spring, Blinn’s power line worker AAS degree equips students with experience in all aspects of power line construction and maintenance. The curriculum includes instruction in electrical math, national electrical safety codes, construction of overhead and underground distribution systems, conductor applications, over-voltage and under-current protection, guying, and pole grounding. Blinn also offers a power line worker occupational skills award and level 1 and 2 certificates, either as standalone awards for entry into the workforce or en route to the AAS degree.
Power line workers and installers support the maintenance and function of our electrical power and telecommunications infrastructure. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, line installers and repairers earn a median salary of $65,700 per year.
In addition, Blinn recently launched skilled trade AAS degrees in carpentry, construction management, facilities maintenance, HVAC, site layout, and water purification. Courses for all of these degrees are offered at the new RELLIS Agricultural and Workforce Education Complex located at the RELLIS Campus in Bryan. This state-of-the-art, 38,000-square-foot facility provides students with innovative instruction and access to the latest equipment in their chosen profession.
To learn more about Blinn’s power line worker and other skilled trade AAS degrees, visit www.blinn.edu/workforce. For more information on TEEX’s Lineman Academy, visit www.teex.org/linemanacademy.
(Story courtesy Richard Bray, Blinn Information)