A total of 10 students were presented certificates of completion during the event held in the Bluebonnet Room of the Matthews Student Center.

Program graduates include Michael A. Acosta, Jerrell W. Baker, Gilbert S. Belmontes, Mark A. Cruz, Benjamin Garcia, Samuel Garza, Refugion Hernandez, III, Rodolfo L. Roiz, Rogelio M. Roque and Joseph A. Valenzuela.

SWTJC Workforce Training and Development Coordinator Lorena Mello was emcee of the ceremony and gave special thanks to AEP Texas, Bandera Electric, Medina Electric, Rio Grande Electric, Texas Meter and Devices, and Workforce Solutions Middle Rio Grande for their support of the program.

SWTJC President Dr. Ismael Sosa, Jr., welcomed guests and congratulated graduates. Jim Park of AEP Texas, Uvalde area supervisor of distribution systems, was the guest speaker.

Dr. Blaine Bennett, SWTJC Dean of Institutional Advancement & Technology, along with lineman training instructor Arturo Carreon and SWTJC Truck Driving Program lead instructor Cesar Talamantes, presented certificates to the graduates.

The SWTJC Lineman Training Program is a 12-week course designed to teach students basic knowledge and skills needed to seek entry-level work as an apprentice lineman with electrical service providers and cooperatives in the area and across the state.

This is the second class to graduate from the program since its inception in April of 2010.