‘Those guys become your family’ – Ammons set to train electrical linemen at SCC

Gage Ammons, a Clarendon native, is Southeastern Community College’s new Electrical Lineman Program Coordinator. With more than seven years of work experience as an electrical lineman, Ammons is ready to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of electrical linemen.  

With Ammons on his way to earning certificates from OSHA 10, OSHA 500 and the National Center for Construction Education and Research, he will be ready for the classroom. In addition to the training equipment that Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation donated and installed earlier this year at SCC, Ammons will create a list of other training equipment needed and start the purchasing process.   

“When a student finishes the electrical lineman program, they will be OSHA 10 certified, certified to climb, have a CDL permit and have certifications in CPR, first aid and AED,” Ammons said. “When they leave this 10-week program, they’ll walk with a lot of certifications under their belt.” 

Ammons is looking forward to growing the partnership with BEMC, and he wants to incorporate underground line training into the program. With underground line being more reliable, having a cleaner look and being resistant to the elements than overhead line, Ammons said that underground line is the best form of electrical line installation. 

Ammons’ background 

Ammons graduated from South Columbus High School in 2016. For the past seven and a half years, he worked for Lee Electrical Construction. During that time, Ammons worked a year and a half on the road doing transmission work which included high power and high line experience with 44,000 to 500,000 volts of electricity. His remaining time was spent in distribution that mainly dealt with 7,200 volts or lower.  

Ammons was inspired to work in the electrical lineman field because of his grandfather’s 20+ years of work experience. Ammons grew up seeing his grandfather, James Todd, work but did not understand it until he got older. Learning that electrical lineman work was a high-wage job, Ammons took the plunge and received on-the-job training from Lee Electrical Construction.  

“At the time with not having anywhere to turn, needing money and not having a degree, I talked to my grandpa out of necessity about needing something to do,” Ammons said. “He said, ‘I got something for you.’ since he was a foreman at Lee Electrical.” 

Ammons heard about the Electrical Lineman Program Coordinator position at SCC from his uncle, Ryan Todd, who is the Director of Customized and Truck Driver Training at SCC. Feeling burnt out from the erratic work schedule, trying to avoid complacency and wanting something new to do, Ammons applied for the position at SCC and started working on Aug. 15.  

“I’m excited to meet some of the younger guys who are interested in this line of work and let them know the expectations for when they get a job,” Ammons said. “When they’re out traveling on the road to work sites, they are spending more time with the guys than their own family. Those guys become your family, so you have to know them, get along with them and learn to trust them.” 

Comradery with coworkers, especially while out on the road, is the best part of electrical lineman work, Ammons said. Working 40+ hours per week, sleeping in hotels and traveling around with your coworkers forms a brotherhood. Ammons learned to adapt to different personalities and senses of humor. 

Outside of work, Ammons enjoys spending time with his wife, Chase Ammons and their two children, Kylin and Riley. As a family, they like to go camping, watch movies and play at the campground water park.  

Interested in the Electrical Lineman program at SCC? Click here to find out more information!