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Austin Community College

Preparing Occupations for Lineman Education

Abstract

Austin Community College District’s (ACC) Preparing Occupations for Lineman Education (POLE) Program facilitates smart grid implementation by providing a pipeline of workers (utility linemen) to enable smart grid functionality and support economic recovery by connecting job seekers with training and employment opportunities. The POLE Program is developing the curricula for a utility lineman certificate and an associate of applied science degree. Courses teach industryrequired topics such as: electrical safety codes, climbing skills, power transmission, switching and metering. The curricula are devised by an advisory committee tasked with conducting a systematic assessment of the skills and competencies required for the occupation. The project is also utilizing professional curriculum developers to incorporate these skills into a five-semester utility lineman associate degree and a one-year utility lineman certificate, and to begin recruiting job seekers for the training programs.

Contact Information

Deborah Buterbaugh
Project Manager
National Energy Technology Laboratory
3610 Collins Ferry Road
Morgantown, WV 26507-0880
304-285-4164
Deborah.Buterbaugh@netl.doe.gov

Alberto Quiñonez
Principal Investigator
Austin Community College/RVS
1020 Grove Blvd
Austin, TX 78741
512-223-6407
aquinone@austincc.edu

At-A-Glance
Recipient: Austin Community Colleg
HQ State: Texas
NERC Region:
Total Budget: $132,169
Federal Share: $44,959
 
Funding Program:
Project Type:
 
Equipment:
Targeted Benefits:
  • Job creation in Smart Grid careers
  • Hands-on experience and relationships with potential employers through internships at local power companies
 

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