Western Texas College invites the public to watch the 2026 Electrical Lineworker Rodeo on April 30, 2026. The Rodeo starts at 9:30 a.m. on the grounds of the WTC Coliseum, 900 East Coliseum Drive in Snyder. 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 Lineworker Rodeo serves several purposes,” said Tony Strawn, the Western Texas College Electric Lineworker Instructor. “It’s a capstone for graduating students, a chance for employers to see the skills of prospective employees, and an opportunity for students’ families to see what the students have been learning this past year.”
Each student earns a certificate in Electrical Lineworker Technology upon the successful completion of coursework. The coursework in the program includes:
Commercial Drivers License Written and Driving Skills
Climbing Skills
Transformer Connections
Distribution Operations
Basic Electricity and Metering
Overhead Line Construction
Line Skill Fundamentals
Rigging for Electrical Lineworker
Underground Distribution Systems
Live Line Safety
and Troubleshooting Distribution Systems.
“We invite prospective employers to the Rodeo and to have lunch with students,” said Shawn Fonville, Vice President for Career and Technical Education and Continuing Education. “It gives our students an opportunity to show their skills and speak with employers about career opportunities.”
Fonville noted that lunch is reserved for students, employers, and two family members of each student.
A student graduating from the 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’s Electrical Lineworker students,” adds Fonville. “Students enhance their options for immediate employment after graduation.”
Electrical Lineworker remains a high-demand occupation in the West Central Texas Workforce region. 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.