Laurel Ridge Community College’s Power Line Worker Program was created to meet a growing regional need, and this episode of “Valley Today” highlights how the effort quickly took shape after conversations with local utilities in February 2024. The initiative reflects a commitment to uplifting students while supporting the critical infrastructure that keeps Virginia’s communities powered. Host Janet Michael speaks with Laurel Ridge’s Director of Marketing Guy Curtis, Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions Program Manager AnnaJane Whitacre, and graduate Derrick DeHaney, who together underscore how the program opens doors for people seeking meaningful, well‑paid careers in a field that serves the public every day.
The 14‑week training program is designed to be intensive, accessible, and transformative. Students earn seven industry-recognized credentials, gaining skills that prepare them for immediate entry into the electric utility workforce. The curriculum includes CDL Class A licensing, heavy equipment operation, VDOT work‑zone traffic control, OSHA 10, CPR and first aid, and specialized coursework in power line operations. Whitacre notes that while the schedule is demanding, the comprehensive format equips graduates with the confidence and technical foundation needed to thrive in a high‑impact career.
Hands‑on learning is at the heart of the program, giving students the chance to build practical skills in real‑world environments. Training includes climbing poles, working safely around energized equipment, and using machinery such as digger derricks and bucket trucks. Students also learn the fundamentals of power generation, transmission and distribution, knowledge that helps them understand the bigger picture of how reliable energy supports every household and business. This immersive approach encourages students to envision themselves as essential contributors to their communities’ safety, resilience and growth.
Graduate Derrick DeHaney’s story brings the program’s impact to life. He initially enrolled with Workforce Solutions to earn a CDL, but after exploring the world of line work, he discovered a passion for the field and a career path he had never expected. Now preparing for a new role with Dominion Power, Derrick reflects the program’s ability to unlock opportunities for people from all backgrounds and help them build futures rooted in purpose and service. His journey is a reminder that when education, industry and personal determination come together, lives, and entire communities can be transformed.