The University of Arkansas Cossatot hosted a grand opening event at its Aerial Lineman Training Center in De Queen on Thursday, February 1. UAC Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole welcomed the crowd, including the current aerial lineman class and community and industry leaders. Dr. Cole explained the program’s history and the extensive efforts invested in its establishment, saying, “Short-term programs that give people wonderful skills and employees that want to hire them after four weeks of training, that a huge part of the future of Arkansas.” In addition, Dr. Cole announced the college had written a multi-million dollar grant to establish a fiber optic network engineering program at UA Cossatot. In Cole’s words, “We think this would be a perfect way to augment what we are already doing with the Aerial Lineman program.”
Among the guest speakers was Stephanie Isaacs, Director of the Arkansas Office of Skills Development, who discussed the partnership with UA Cossatot and her office’s role in procuring essential trucks and equipment for the program.
Rick Giesler, Division Director of Compliance with Ervin Cable Construction, told the audience, “Programs like this are instrumental in us being able to make our industry safer, to make our industry a better place, to drive better wages so these young people can have a home.”
Scottie Morris, co-creator of the curriculum with Luke Ervin of Ervin Cable Construction and Jeff Tollett of Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative, talked about his role in starting the program. He said the day after he retired, he received a call from Dr. Cole, who asked him to come on board to help the college train aerial linemen. Morris agreed, and a former parking lot near the UAC Amphitheater was picked as the site for the pole-training yard. In Morris’ closing remarks, he said, “I believe a lot of good things will come out of this lot.”
Representatives from Bridgepoint Communications, Systems Services Broadband, Ervin Cable Construction, Four States Fiber Internet, NEA Construction, and Desert Media Group were among the attendees. Notable figures such as State Representative Deann Vaught, Kyla Waters, Arkansas Community Colleges Center for Workforce Director, and Kamelle Gomez from the Arkansas State Broadband Office attended.
The Aerial Lineman Program at UA Cossatot is currently under the direction of Dennis Davis. He has over 43 years of experience in the telecommunications industry and utilizes a combination of classroom and hands-on field experiences co-designed with employers to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities they seek when hiring an aerial lineman to install, maintain, and repair telecommunications infrastructure.
UA Cossatot is an Arkansas Fiber Academy training location. The Arkansas Fiber Academy is a partnership between Arkansas Community Colleges, the Arkansas Office of Skills Development, and the Arkansas State Broadband Office.
To find out more about the UA Cossatot Aerial Lineman Training program, visit www.cccua.edu or contact Continuing Education Services at ContinuingEducation@cccua.edu or (870) 584-1178.