CFCC Instructor Al Savage Brings 40+ Years of Linework Experience to the Classroom

CFCC powerline instructor Al Savage didn’t end up in the electrical linework trade by chance. He was raised in it.

“My family has always been in the field,” Al shared. “I grew up working for my family, and I continued it. I worked for my dad and brother-in-law, and we all worked together. My son’s in the trade now.”

A proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 351 in South Jersey, Al brings over 40 years of experience to Cape Fear Community College’s Electrical Lineworker Training program.

“I’ve been to 30 hurricanes, and twice that many ice storms,” he said. “We pulled wire. We set big poles. My last job was a helicopter job. We were flying on ropes underneath, working on towers. That was my last gig before I retired.”

Shortly after retiring, Al didn’t take long to realize he wasn’t ready to leave the trade behind. “I found out that retiring isn’t all that fun,” Al chuckled.

“I loved the adrenaline rush. It’s hard to let go of. Being here and working with these students fills that space. It gives me what I need to be happy. This allows me to give back to my community and the next generation, to make them as good and safe as possible.”

Training the Next Generation

Al’s focus is now on training future lineworkers and ensuring they understand the scope of what’s possible in the trade.

“There are so many opportunities. You could work locally, nationally, and even internationally,” Al explained. “In the union, it’s the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. I can go to any state I want. I can sign a book and roll out. When a job breaks in Texas, all you’ve got to do is get on the phone. You want to go to California? Alaska? Florida? You can go.”

And the students in CFCC’s Electrical Lineworker Training program come from all walks of life. “We have military here. We have individuals who grew up in the country, in the city, many from other states,” he said.

“So many different people come here because the instructors are superior in knowledge. We cover everything – underground, trenching, machinery, pulling wire, and building transformer banks. Everything you can imagine. Everybody has a chance.”

Strong Industry Connections

Al also highlighted the program’s strong partnerships with industry leaders.

“We’ve got Duke Energy. That’s a solid home for some guys. We’ve got co-ops, smaller than the big power companies but a little more like family. Then you’ve got contractors like MasTec, River City, and Pike if you want to stay local.”

For Al, teaching at CFCC is the perfect next chapter. It keeps him close to the work he’s always loved, surrounded by people with the same passion, and helping shape the future of the trade. As he puts it, “You reach out. We can get you somewhere.”

To learn more about CFCC’s 10-week Electrical Lineworker Training program, visit cfcc.edu/lineworker .