(HARLINGEN, Texas) – College Factual recently placed Texas State Technical College at the top of its list of Best Lineworker Associate Degree Schools in the United States for 2024.
According to its website, collegefactual.com, the company was created to help students research colleges and careers. It gathers data from public and private sources, including the U.S. Department of Education.
“TSTC’s Abilene campus is home to the newest Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program, offering students a top-tier education with unmatched industry connections and career opportunities,” Ronnie Pitts, who leads the Abilene program, said. “This nationally recognized program equips you with the hands-on skills and expertise to power your future in one of the most in-demand industries today.”
Brandon Foster, the program’s team lead in Fort Bend County, said the ranking is rewarding.
“This will motivate our instructors to help our students elevate their skills,” he said.
Angel Toledo, who leads the program in Harlingen, said he is honored to be part of a successful program.
“We’re making our name known,” he said. “Since its inception, the program has been enhanced to place our graduates in competitive positions in the workforce.”
Nathan Cleveland, the program’s team lead in Marshall, said a component of its success are the relationships that have been created with industry partners.
“Our industry professionals offer guidance regarding what is required of our graduates when they enter the workforce,” he said. “We will continue to train students that will attract more companies to the program.”
Dwain Love, who leads the Waco campus’s program, said the program has spent many years building partnerships with area power companies.
“We are honest with industry partners about how our students are trained,” he said. “We also collaborate with the college’s Career Services department to ensure that every organization meets the skilled talent we produce.”
The fall semester at TSTC began two weeks ago. New students in the lineworker program have been introduced to the curriculum and outdoor practice utility poles, while advanced students are continuing with the next phase of their hands-on training.
One such student is Briana Resendez, of San Benito. Resendez is a new student who is studying for a certificate of completion.
“I visited the Electrical Lineworker program in Harlingen during a campus tour when I was in high school,” she said. “Climbing the poles has been an interesting experience. It helps us to get over a fear of heights and trust our equipment as we climb the pole.”
For a complete list of TSTC’s College Factual rankings, visit https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/construction-trades/electrical-power-transmission-installers/lineworker/rankings/top-ranked/associates-degrees/.
TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate of completion in Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology at its Abilene, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall and Waco campuses.
The program is part of TSTC’s Money-Back Guarantee, which refunds a participating graduate’s tuition if he or she has not found a job in their field within six months after graduation.
For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
