The Columbia State Community College Office of Workforce and Continuing Education recently hosted a Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy Mini-Rodeo that allowed students to demonstrate the skills they learned during the seven-week program.

In the overall rodeo, Shadon Peery from Columbia came in first place, Jeremiah Roan from Mount Pleasant came in second place and Benjamin Hongsermeier from Dickson came in third place.

“This program stands out because of our incredible instructors and the strong partnerships we have with local utilities and municipalities,” said Tiffany Odom, Columbia State Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education coordinator. “I want to sincerely thank all our partners who make this program possible — whether through equipment donations, providing facility access, maintaining the pole yard or volunteering for mock interviews. Their support is essential to the success of both the program and its participants.”

Upon completion of the program, the students received a Tennessee Valley Public Power Association climbing certification, first aid and CPR certifications, OSHA 10 with ET&D certification and NSC flagger certification. In addition, the students are prepared to sit for a commercial driver’s license.

During the mini-rodeo, students competed in different activities including the 80-foot pole climb, bell change and switch transfer.

In the first activity, students climb up and down an 80-foot pole, which is a necessary part of the TVPPA Climbing Lab Certification. In this activity, Travis Garza from Columbia came in first place, Jeremiah Ragsdale from Culleoka came in second place and Gabriel Trujillo from Thompson’s Station came in third place.

The bell change and switch transfer are activities linemen would do in the field because of lightning, loose connections or replacement of aging materials to maintain electricity for those in the service area.

In the bell change, students climb a 40-foot pole and change out the bell that holds the line to the pole. In this activity, Jeremiah Roan from Mount Pleasant came in first place, Jeremiah Ragsdale from Culleoka came in second place and Shadon Peery from Columbia came in third place. 

In the switch transfer, students climb a 40-foot pole to change out the switch attached to the cross-arm of the pole. In this activity, Shadon Peery from Columbia came in first place, Brecken Inch from Spring Hill came in second place and Jeremiah Roan from Mount Pleasant came in third place.

In addition to his performance in the rodeo, Jeremiah Roan from Mount Pleasant was presented with the Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy Outstanding Student Award.

10 scholarships were awarded through grants from the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). 

MSI was launched in 2019 by Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), to provide workforce opportunities for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to find meaningful and well-paying careers in fields and positions. Columbia State is the first community college in Tennessee to receive an MSI grant.

In addition to the Metallica scholarships, several local scholarships were also awarded to students in the cohort. 

Brock Anderson from Lewisburg was awarded the Dr. B.I. Naddy Support for Veterans Grant through Columbia State. This grant was established by Dr. B.I. Naddy, a retired Columbia State chemistry professor, in recognition for veterans’ service and their right to pursue higher education.

Braden Fields from Lawrenceburg and Michael Perkins from Summertown each received a full scholarship from the Tennessee Valley Authority and Lawrenceburg Utility Systems. This scholarship was awarded in memory of Mark Fields, a fallen lineworker from Lawrenceburg Utility Systems.

Jeremiah Roan from Mount Pleasant and Jeremiah Ragsdale from Culleoka were awarded the Mule Day WORKS Scholarship. This scholarship supports Maury County students pursuing career and technical education, as well as vocational training, by helping cover expenses such as tools, supplies, books and required travel.

The Pre-Apprentice Lineworker program is a result of communities from across Middle Tennessee coming together to fill a need in the workforce. After the rodeo, participants will complete their CDL skills training to test for their CDL Class A-57 license and be ready to join the industry as an apprentice lineworker. 

For more information about the program, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Lineworker. All individuals interested in the program should register through the link to be placed on a contact list for future classes. Scholarships will be available, and interested participants can sign up for the contact list at www.campusce.net/columbiastate/course/course.aspx?catId=6.