(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus is empowering students with the skills and hands-on training to succeed in the high-demand field of electrical utility, maintenance and installation.
This fall, the program will introduce an expanded curriculum and new resources designed to enhance training and prepare students for careers as electrical lineworkers.
“The program is expanding in student population,” Angel Toledo, TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program team lead in Harlingen, said. “The new resources will include four computer labs with a 25-student capacity and new instructor offices.”
Toledo said students are informed about industry expectations.
“The program is rigorous and requires determination to succeed in harsh weather conditions,” he said. “Future students who are interested in the program are required to have a class C driver’s license.”
Eric Carithers, director of alignment for TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program, said the program is expected to accommodate more than 150 students in Harlingen this fall.
“We have 42 students returning from the spring 2025 enrollment,” he said. “We have the ability to accept 113 students this fall.”
Eladio Jaimez, provost at TSTC’s Harlingen campus, said TSTC has stepped up to fill the demand for skilled electrical lineworkers.
“The addition of the program’s new facilities will allow TSTC to meet industry demand at a statewide and local level,” Jaimez said.
Job placement is a priority for the program’s graduates.
Companies that have hired TSTC Electrical Lineworker graduates include American Electric Power, the Brownsville Public Utilities Board, Kiewit Corp., Linetec, and Magic Valley Electric Cooperative.
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 had a job offer in their field within six months after graduation.
To learn more about TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program, go to tstc.edu/lineworker.
