Western Nebraska Community College officially opened its Powerline & Indoor Training
Facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday in Alliance.
"The Powerline Construction & Maintenance Technology program represents one of our
highest priorities," said WNCC President Dr. Todd Holcomb. "It's a three-H program,
which means it is a high-skilled, high-demand, high-wage job. We know the baby boomers
are retiring and this program is helping meet the needs of our community and region."
The new indoor facility, complete with dirt flooring and 50-foot tall ceilings, will
give the Powerline Construction & Maintenance Technology program students the opportunity
to train indoors during inclement weather.
The program was added to the Alliance Campus in 2006 behind the efforts of community
businesses and officials. During the process, an advisory committee was formed to
help WNCC best serve the students and regional industry partners.
Over the last 12 years, not only has WNCC's Powerline Construction & Maintenance Technology
program provided area students another post-high school option, it's continued to
be a syringe for the region's economy by supplying the industry a trained workforce.
"All of us in the industry are grateful for what WNCC has done and what the powerline
program means to us," said Ryan Reiber, general manager of Panhandle Rural Electric
Membership Association (PREMA) in Alliance. Reiber has also been a longtime supporter
and advisory committee member for the program. "Now we're here to celebrate this beautiful
facility."
Program alum Chris Gasseling was also on-hand to speak at the ribbon cutting Wednesday.
Gasseling, a 2015 alum of the program, earned a job in North Platte immediately following
graduation. He has since moved back to Alliance, but spoke highly about the instruction
and guidance he received at WNCC.
"(WNCC Powerline Instructor Edward Salazar) is going to teach you everything you need
to know," Gasseling said. "He's going to teach you how to climb, how to do the work,
but more importantly he's going to teach you how to carry yourself as a linemen and
how to act out in the field. I think Alliance is very blessed to have this facility
here and have a trade school here."
WNCC's powerline program has been a model of success in recent years, consistently
attracting a large number of area students. Already, nearly 60 prospective students
have expressed interest in joining the program next year, Salazar said.
Later in the afternoon Wednesday, the powerline program hosted an open house for those
prospective students from around the area. In addition to touring the new indoor facility,
the prospective students were able to try on powerline gear, climb a pole, and learn
about the industry's outlook from Nebraska Public Power District Superintendent Dennis
Wademan.
"I'm excited about the growth," Salazar said. "We're really excited to be able to
provide a service to our community."
The indoor facility was completed in about four months and was sourced entirely from
area businesses. K.L. Wood in Alliance was the general contractor on the project,
and Baker & Associates in Scottsbluff provided design work. Steel for the project
was sourced by B & C Steel in Gering, and erected by Dead On Steel Erectors out of
Alliance. Triangle Electric and Z & S Sheet Metal, both in Alliance, also contributed
to the project.
Funds for the project were raised during the WNCC Foundation's comprehensive campaign,
which focused on contributing toward workforce success initiatives.
"This program is a combination of private entities and public entities coming together
to create an economic opportunity for students," Holcomb said. "There is no other
school or program like this for 250 miles and it's just a fabulous program."