SNYDER— The 2024 Western Texas College Lineworker Rodeo takes place at the WTC Coliseum from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2024. The annual event offers an exciting showcase of skills and talent as students in the Electrical Lineworker Technology program perform a variety of technical tasks. The event is open only to Lineworker students’ families and prospective employers.
“The Lineworker Rodeo serves as a capstone for students who graduate with a certificate in Electrical Lineworker Technology,” said Tony Strawn, Electrical Lineworker Instructor. “This rodeo represents the culmination of their hard work.”
“We have great attendance from prospective employers,” notes Shawn Fonville, WTC’s Dean of Career and Technical Education. “The event gives our students a chance to show off their skills and speak with employers about career opportunities.”
The program garners great support from the community, too. The Development Cooperation of Snyder and Oncor sponsored this year’s rodeo, and Big Country Electrical Coop has been WTC’s program partner from the beginning.
Each student earns a certificate in Electrical Lineworker Technology upon the successful completion of coursework. The coursework in the program includes:
• Orientation and Line Skill Fundamentals
• Climbing Skills
• Live Line Safety
• Trouble Shooting Distribution Systems
• Overhead Line Construction
• and Rigging for Electrical Lineworker.
A student graduating from the WTC program enters the workforce with a distinct advantage in addition to the certificate: they also earn their Commercial Drivers License (CDL).
“Graduating with a CDL boosts career prospects for WTC Electrical Lineworker students,” adds Fonville. “Students enhance their options for immediate employment after graduation.”
Western Texas College takes pride in its graduation and employment rates: over 222 graduates since 2009 and a 90% employment rate over the past five years. The College continually updates the curriculum to meet industry standards, incorporating courses from TD Power Skills and recently acquiring new equipment, including climbing gear and a bucket truck, thanks to grants received in 2023.
Electrical Lineworker remains a high-demand occupation in the West Central Texas Workforce region. The steady demand reflects the program's consistent enrollment numbers, with 29 students in 2024, demonstrating the program's enduring appeal. The College ensures the program's alignment with industry trends and consistently delivers skilled graduates to meet the growing demand for lineworkers.
For more information about the Electrical Lineworker Technology program, visit wtc.edu/lineworker or contact instructor Tony Strawn at 325-574-7965 or via email at tony.strawn@wtc.edu.