Lineworker apprentices and lineworkers compete in the annual MGCCC Lineworker Rodeo.

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) – Future line workers and line workers at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College showed off their skills Thursday.

Trainees spent between 13 and 16 weeks honing their skills on speed, crossbar and safety release, to name a few.

“It’s like a job interview, a lot of companies are looking here, seeing what these guys can do, what they’ve learned, and this is a way for them to demonstrate that to people in the community,” said Mike Barnes, an energy training instructor from Mississippi. .

Emily Rhode, 23, moved from Wisconsin for this opportunity.

“I always dreamed of doing something important. Since childhood I was told: the world is my oyster. So I chose one of the hardest jobs and I’m glad I did it. It wasn’t easy, it definitely wasn’t,” she said.

She was supported by her older sister Erica Rhode.

“This is my little sister, so to think about her doing the hard work here, it gets on my nerves. “I’m nervous for her, but at the same time, coming here and seeing the fruits of her labor and all the hard work she’s put in and just watching her develop and grow over the last few weeks has been incredible.” she said.

Mason Cameron says his father inspired him to become a lineman.

“Just seeing him grow, it was something,” he explained. “I looked up to him… as I got older, you know, I started to see how people work. I was like, “Man, I want to be the person who turns the lights back on,” you know? Do things like this and be a hero.”

Participants included electrical student interns from the George County MGCCC and the Electrical Lineworkers program in Gulfport.

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