Future linemen gain real-world safety knowledge during Coast Electric training at PRCC

POPLARVILLE, Miss. (WXXV)- The next generation of lineman learned what it takes to work safely around electricity through Coast Electric’s hands-on safety training.

WXXV News 25’s Asia Ellis shows us how Pearl River Community College students are preparing for their future.

When you’re working around electricity, safety has to come first. Coast Electric helped Pearl River Community College students prepare to become the next generation of linemen through hands-on safety training. Coast Electric Safety Coordinator Chase Holmes said, “I went through this class in 2009. We were the second class to ever go through it. And seeing the representation from Coast Electric come whenever I was in the program, they provided knowledge, field experience, and with me being able to come back and be able to do the same thing is really rewarding. With the growth of the population, businesses, and all of our area comes the need for more linemen.”

During the training, Coast Electric conducted a live-line demonstration to show the students how electricity can jump, arc, and flow through objects. After that, the students put their skills to the test in a lineman climbing competition. PRCC Senior Lineman student Jeremy Korn, “So, this program right here, I started in January and we had about 12 people in our class. We come in and we start learning how to climb and we’re with each other all day, we build that bond. It really shows how working as a crew makes a big difference on the field. I know it’s crazy to say, but sometimes you might go to work one day and you might not be able to come home but taking those extra steps will help you be able to come home and see your family.”

After all that hard work, the high voltage barbeque team served up lunch, giving students a chance to refuel after a busy day of training.