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In the News... Lake-Sumter Community College Introduces Electrical Distribution Technology Program
The Electrical Distribution Technology program was developed through a partnership between Sumter Electric Cooperative, City of Leesburg, City of Bushnell and City of Mount Dora to provide training for electric utility line workers. Eighteen months ago, Sumter Electric Cooperative (SECO) approached LSCC about developing a program to offer college credit as part of the training for its apprentice line workers. SECO then helped recruit additional partners from area utilities with the same training needs. The partners also wanted a program that would fit with a four-year apprentice program and match the requirements of the industry progression plan. In the past, area utilities had to rely on out-of-state training programs or correspondence courses. After much research, the partnership developed a training program that fits the needs of the electric utilities and offers college credit. It will provide training for a Basic Certificate, an Advanced Certificate, and ultimately an Associate of Applied Science degree for line workers involved in the construction, maintenance, and repair of electric utility overhead and underground systems. The Advanced Certificate requires completion of 16 established college-level courses over a four-year period. The training combines classroom study with laboratory and on the job training. SECO CEO Jim Duncan said, This program adds a new level of professionalism to the training offered to our line workers. At the completion of the four-year training program, a SECO line worker will be one of the most highly trained in the industry.
Initially offered to only employees of electric utilities, the EDT program has twenty-eight line workers currently enrolled. LSCC has hired Jim Vaughn, who has 30 years of experience as a utility industry trainer, to oversee the new program. He most recently created and implemented the EDT program at South Florida Community Collage. The curriculum he created while there has become the State curriculum, now being employed at LSCC. The partnership is now actively recruiting additional electric utility training partners with the hopes of expanding the program this fall to include individuals interested in a career as a line worker. |
LEESBURG - On Thursday, May 1, Lake-Sumter Community Colleges Sumter Campus will host an informal celebration in honor of its new Electrical Distribution Technology (EDT) program. Though the first of the new classes started a month ago, the Sumter County community is invited to visit the Sumterville campus to learn more about the programs curriculum. Starting at 11 am, current EDT students will demonstrate their hands-on training on the different elements of the outside lineman lab (located at the back of the campus buildings). Then, at 11:30 am, everyone is invited inside for a short briefing on the program and lunch with the students.
Jim Thigpen, LSCC Sumter Campus Administrator, adds that he is delighted by the joint efforts of the college and the electric utilities. It has been wonderful to work with SECO and the cities to develop this program, he says. All of the partners have worked diligently and unselfishly to develop a program that serves their training needs, supports the college, and provides better service to their consumers. That is the way an
educational partnership should work.