Nov 15, 2019 | Foundation

Columbia State, CPWS Announce Partnership

Columbia State with CPWS Representatives
Photo Caption: (Standing, left to right): Doug Burgess, CPWS vice president of power operations; Dr. Dearl Lampley, Columbia State vice president of Williamson Campus and external services; LK Browning, Columbia State director of economic and workforce development; Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation; Kelley McCall, CPWS executive vice president; and Chris Henson, Columbia State development officer. (Sitting, left to right): Scott Dahlstrom, CPWS president and CEO; and Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president.

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. – Nov. 15, 2019) - - -Columbia State Community College and Columbia Power and Water Systems announced a partnership that is the first step in the development of a Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy through Columbia State’s Office of Workforce and Continuing Education. 

Columbia Power and Water Systems will erect and maintain a pole yard on the Columbia Campus this fall for the first Lineworker class to begin Spring 2020. The Tennessee Valley Public Power Producers Association will provide a certified instructor for the pole climbing portion of the course. Throughout the seven-week course, participants will climb poles, obtain first aid training, earn an OSHA 10-hour safety card, earn a flagging certification and will prepare to test for a commercial driver’s license.

“We’re solidifying a partnership that will help individuals in this community,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “This partnership provides a place for CPWS to train their own workers, as well as assist in the training of others who could be future CPWS employees.” 

“We consider this a great opportunity,” said Scott Dahlstrom, CPWS president and CEO. “It’s a great way for industry and education to partner together. This supports what we do, gives us great training and gives us a great pool of employees. It’s going to be a great thing for our community.”

For additional information about this or other continuing education courses through  Columbia State’s Office of Workforce and Continuing Education, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Workforce. 

To learn more about CPWS at www.CPWS.com.