Fifteen students graduated on Wednesday, July 15, from Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Electrical Lineworker program during a ceremony at GNTC’s Polk County Campus in Rockmart.
The students experienced a vigorous, 10-week training program that included donated equipment such as trucks, poles and climbing equipment, as well as hands-on expertise from GNTC instructors. Upon completing the program, students received four certificates of completion for Electrical Lineworker, a restricted Class A Commercial Truck Driving (CDL) license, OSHA 10-Hour General Industry and an overall certificate verifying 395 training hours completed. The program is offered through GNTC’s Office of Economic Development.
“These graduates completed a course not many people in the world can do,” said Kevin Bishop, instructor of GNTC’s Electrical Lineworker program.
“Graduates of GNTC’s Electrical Lineworker program enter the workforce with the essential tools for success; they have a bright and shining future ahead of them,” said Judy Roddenberry, instructor of Commercial Truck Driving at GNTC. “We have many past students who encourage their friends, families and neighbors to come to GNTC.”
“As instructors, we understand the responsibility and trust given to us in order to better prepare our students for their next steps in life,” Roddenberry said. “We strive to foster a positive environment for learning and encourage them to pursue continued learning opportunities throughout their careers.”
The summer 2026 cohort is the 11th cohort of the Electrical Lineworker program since it began in fall 2022.
This cohort’s graduates and hometowns are Sam Crump, LaFayette; Carlos Cruz, Dalton; Josh Faires, Cedartown; Joshua Blake Fennell, Piedmont, Ala.; Brandon A. Hurtado, Dalton; Branson Ingram, Cedartown; Omar Mendiola, Dalton; Jose Ojeda, Dalton; Jason Ortiz–Ramos, Dalton; Caden Oswalt, Rome; Angel Paredez, Calhoun; Mark Ravenscraft, Marietta; Alex Rodriguez, Dalton; Luke Watkins, Rydal; and Caleb Wingard, Jenkinsburg.
The next cohort of GNTC’s Electrical Lineworker program starts Aug. 31. Registration for that cohort is closed; however, seats are still available for the following cohort that begins Jan. 4, 2027.
For more information about the program, go to https://ce.gntc.edu/ or contact GNTC’s Office of Economic Development via email at lineworker@gntc.edu. Georgia Northwestern Technical College delivers high-quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students can pursue associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in a wide range of career pathways, including aviation, business, health, industrial and public service. Over the past year, 14,082 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. The college has an annual credit enrollment of 9,342 students and achieved a 100 percent placement rate. An additional 4,740 individuals are served through adult education.
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