The Austin Community College District is hosting a free information session to introduce its new Utility Lineworker Program from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, January 9, at the Riverside Campus, 1020 Grove Blvd.

Local utility companies will give a presentation on the high-demand profession, and participants may take a supervised pole-climbing assessment that is a prerequisite for admission to the program.  Registration is required at austincc.edu/choices/lineworker. The information session will be in Building S (Frank Squires Building), room 103.

ACC developed the two-year associate degree and shorter certificate program with area utility companies to address an urgent need for skilled lineworkers – those technicians who repair and maintain electric grids atop utility poles. The average wage for experienced workers is $20.23 per hour or $46,350 per year, not including overtime.

“This program enables us to give our students a direct connection to a high-demand field,” says Dr. Hector Aguilar, chairman of ACC’s Electronics and Advanced Technology Department.

ACC developed the Lineworker Program with Austin Energy, LCRA, Bluebonnet Electric, Texas Electric Service, Pedernales Electric, TMD (Texas Meter & Device), Georgetown Utilities, San Marcos Utilities, Oncor, Capital IDEA, and Workforce Solutions. Many of the organizations will be present January 9 to discuss employment and financial aid opportunities.

“Austin Energy is looking forward to meeting graduates of the new ACC Lineworker Program,” says Pat Alba, Austin Energy’s chief administrative officer.