ADA, Okla. – The Pontotoc Technology Center (PTC) in Ada has rolled out a suite of new training equipment purchased with a $665,680 grant from the American Rescue Plan Act’s broadband program. The grant, earmarked for expanding high‑speed internet across rural Oklahoma, is now fully deployed on trucks, tower rigs and safety gear that let students practice real‑world line‑work in a controlled environment.
Hands‑on training for a growing industry
Future lineworkers like Dillon Robinson say the new gear will be a game‑changer for their careers. “It’s a little nerve‑wracking, just having to climb that high,” Robinson admitted, noting that the towering rigs can look intimidating at first. The hands‑on experience, however, is exactly what the center aims to provide.
Instructor Rusty Stuart explained that the program’s goal is to make training as realistic as possible. “I try to make it as realistic as I possibly can. Climbing, getting them over all the fears, getting comfortable laying out flat up there,” he said. By confronting height anxiety early, students can focus on mastering the technical skills they’ll need on the job.
Broadband expansion as a workforce priority
Superintendent Travis Graham highlighted the broader purpose of the equipment. “We built a workforce that’s not only able to handle high voltage, handle our co‑ops, but able to service our needs for broadband expansion,” he said. The new towers, while not yet powered, serve as training platforms that teach safe ascent and descent techniques, reinforcing the center’s commitment to safety.
Safety trainer Kathy Gill underscored that safety protocols have evolved alongside the growing demand for broadband infrastructure. “Communications is only increasing with the cell carriers and tower owners, safety has just gotten better and better over the years. This is why they always have their wire lanyards, they always have their positioners, so we always maintain those two points of contact,” Gill explained.
Building confidence and job readiness
Stuart added that the intensive training helps students eliminate the “hard training” before they enter the field. “They’re getting a lot of the hard training out of the way. The fear, they can have confidence in knowing they’re not afraid of heights and they can go out there and really start working,” he said.
With the grant fully expended, PTC now has a complete set of tools to prepare a new generation of lineworkers who can support Oklahoma’s broadband push. The state’s rural communities stand to benefit from faster internet access, while local families gain new career pathways that align with the nation’s growing demand for reliable connectivity.
Community impact
The training program reflects a partnership between federal funding, state goals and local education. By turning grant dollars into tangible equipment, the Pontotoc Technology Center is not only enhancing student skills but also reinforcing Ada’s role as a hub for skilled‑trade education in the region.
As graduates move into the workforce, they will help bridge the digital divide that has long affected Oklahoma’s rural areas, ensuring that more households, schools and businesses can participate in the modern economy.
Original reporting: KXII News 12 (Gray) — read the source article.
