Lumbee River EMC (LREMC) and Robeson Community College (RCC) are proud to announce a partnership to introduce a Lineman Program in Robeson County. The initiative represents a collaborative effort between LREMC, a trusted provider of reliable electric service to communities throughout the region and RCC, renowned for its commitment to workforce development and educational excellence.

The Lineman Program will offer comprehensive training and hands-on experience in the essential skills required for a successful career as a lineman. Participants will receive instruction in electrical theory, safety protocols, pole climbing techniques, equipment operation and more. Additionally, the program will provide opportunities for real-world application through internships and cooperative learning experiences with Lumbee River EMC.

“We are thrilled to partner with Robeson Community College to bring this valuable program to Robeson County,” said Jon T. Locklear, President and CEO of Lumbee River EMC in a press release. “As a locally-owned electric cooperative, we are deeply invested in the prosperity and well-being of our communities. By equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue careers in the electrical utility industry, we are not only creating pathways to meaningful employment but also ensuring the continued reliability of our electric infrastructure.”

Robeson Community College President Melissa Singler expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating in a press release, “At Robeson Community College, we are dedicated to empowering our students and supporting economic growth in our region. The Lineman Program aligns perfectly with our mission by offering high-quality training that leads to in-demand careers. Together with Lumbee River EMC, we look forward to positively impacting the lives of individuals in Robeson County.”

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 29, to celebrate the “very historical moment” at Robeson Community College with the construction of the lineman pole yard on campus. The pole yard will be located on the backside of campus, behind Buildings 18 and 19 and will be visible to those passing by on I-95. 

“Three weeks ago, all of this was trees,” stated Eric Freeman, the Executive Vice President of Robeson Community College, in a press release. “Once we had a commitment to move forward with this program, we decided we wanted to be by I-95 and we wanted this program to be a billboard for all of the community and everyone that was traveling by.”

The need for an electrical lineman program at Robeson Community College had been discussed and planned for several years. Through the partnership with LREMC, the program was able to become a reality.

As the President and CEO of Lumbee River EMC Jon T. Locklear spoke, he mentioned how the program would help not only fill jobs, but create them as well. 

“This is going to produce jobs in our communities,” Locklear said in a press release. “We want to be able to take as many lineman from this program and put them in the co-op. We want to be able to support our communities and the economies of our communities… because if we can invest in the students that are coming through this program, then they are going to invest in our communities, they are going to invest in their families… and that’s how we pass it down and we create success that goes from one generation to the next. It’s not about what we do today, it’s about what happens in the future.”

“This lineman program and this collaboration program between RCC and Lumbee River EMC is about a vision,” Locklear added in a press release. “The timing was right, the vision was right, the people were right and we had a board that was very supportive.”

Construction on the pole yard is expected to be completed by June 17 and the first class is slated to begin July 16.

The class will run for 12-weeks and will cover a broad range of topics including Arc Flash Safety, Basic Elements of Electricity, CDL First Class A, CPR/First Aid, Electric Power Systems, Electric Utility Standards, Electrical Safety Codes Applications, Electrical Tools and Equipment, Exploration of Underground Electrical Distribution, Flagger Certification, Job Readiness Skills, Material Assembly, OSHA 10, Overhead Underground Construction Practices, Pole Climbing, Transformer and Meter Installations, Trenching and Excavation.

For more information on the electrical lineman program, contact Dr. Joshua Locklear, RCC’s director of NCWorks Customized Training and Workforce Development at 910-272-3680 or jolocklear@robeson.edu.