ROCKINGHAM- “In just nine weeks with $900 I can get a job making $30,000-40,000?”
“Yes sir,” said Dr. Dale McInnis, president of Richmond Community College.
Commissioner Don Bryant posed the question following McInnis’ report to the Richmond County Board of Commissioners Tuesday evening.
McInnis said the new Electrical Lineman course at RCC just graduated its first class. Eighteen of the original 20 students completed the intensive 40-hour, nine-week course and all graduates have been offered jobs.
He added the college is working on solutions that are geared toward getting people to work quicker.
“The lineman course is designed to be short in length but very intensive; that way we don’t waste anybody’s time and we can get them to work as quickly and efficiently as possible,” McInnis said.
A new class of 24 began this week and there is a waiting list for those interested in attending the next class which starts in June.
The cost of the tuition and fees, according to McInnis, is approximately $900 and prospective students are required to pass a physical exam prior to beginning classes. The ages of students from the first class ranged from just out of high school to mid-30s and the starting salaries were from $35,000 to $50,000, he added.
Another popular offering at RCC is the two-year Electrical Utility Substation degree curriculum. McInnis said a job fair titled “Power the World” is planned for March 12 for upcoming graduates.
This program has been in place for several years. Currently about 130 students are enrolled in this two-year program which McInnis said, “has become our signature program.”
He noted that 20 power companies from across the nation will be participating in the fair with the intent of recruiting for both permanent positions for those graduating and for internships for those still in school.
