February 29th, 2024
As of January 2021, Southeast Lineman Training Center is now approved to accept active-duty military personnel for training as a part of the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program. The purpose of this initiative is to provide an opportunity for Service members to gain valuable civilian work experience through industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during the last 180 days of service.1
SkillBridge, formerly known as the Career Skills Program, is available for any rank, enlisted or officer to use up to the last 180 days of Service to train and learn with an industry partner.2 Designed to help ease the transition from active duty into civilian life, the SkillBridge Program is partnered with over 500 industry partners, including SLTC.
As of May 2021, Southeast Lineman Training Center has enrolled our first 10 SkillBridge students into both our Electrical Lineworker Program and our Communications Lineworker Program. Robyn Cameron, an Army veteran who worked to get SLTC SkillBridge approved said, “The Skillbridge program allows for military members to gain practical civilian job skills with all the benefits of remaining on active duty and allows them to focus solely on the curriculum needed to maximize their opportunities in the civilian sector”.
David West, an alumnus of our Electrical Lineworker Program who utilized the SkillBridge Program said this about this experience: “Transitioning out of the military and back to the civilian workforce can be challenging, but with the help of the SLTC staff and the training they provide, they made my shift smooth because it allowed me to be confident and prepared for a career in linework when my enlistment comes to an end.”
Are you an active-duty member interested in utilizing the DoD SkillBridge Program at Southeast Lineman Training Center? Here’s your next steps:
Figure out the dates you want for your internship/training. By regulation, you can only take advantage of this in your last 180 days. You will also need to plan 1-2 weeks after the pre-apprenticeship program to clear your installation. During this period, you will want to take care of the necessary tasks to sign out on terminal leave. If you still choose to continue working at your company during terminal leave, you will still be charged for your leave.
Talk to your chain of command and let them know your intention to participate in this opportunity. We recommend doing this at least one year prior to starting your DoD Skillbridge pre-apprenticeship program. You will need command approval to participate; it is important to give your chain of command the appropriate time to digest this and plan for it.
After command approval, make an appointment with your transition assistance counselor to start the SkillBridge/CSP packet.
Communicate with the employer point-of-contact (Dawn Slater, dawn.slater@lineworker.com) to determine SkillBridge program prerequisites and enrollment protocols and obtain written approval from your unit commander of permanent assignment prior to commencement of training.3 At SLTC, we hold 10 spots per class for SkillBridge students, so it is essential to contact us ASAP after approval to gain admission into your desired program and start date.
Southeast Lineman Training Center (SLTC) is the premier training school for lineworker training; consistently producing an elite group of highly trained and certified graduates.
