Lineworker Allison Greenwalt is on the climb

Sometimes fate puts you in the right place at the right time. For Allison Greenwalt, simply providing a tour of Central Piedmont Community College’s Harper Campus led her to a career as an electrical lineworker.

Allison had been studying welding for a year and working toward an associate degree at Central Piedmont when she was asked to show a group of charter school students the different programs the college has to offer.

“That's when I learned about the lineworker program,” Allison said. “Sitting there listening to what all these different classes are about, something sparked whenever [the lineworking instructors] and students were talking about it.”

Seeing their passion and excitement led Allison to believe it was something she could love as well. She soon began the 16-week program. 

“Four months is nothing compared to a lifetime of opportunity,” Allison said.

Born in Chicago, Allison moved to the Charlotte area with her family when she was about five years old. She grew up in Matthews, N.C., a Charlotte suburb.

After starting college and making the switch from welding, Allison graduated from Central Piedmont’s line worker program in December 2024. During her time at the school, she spent Monday–Thursday at Harper Campus covering the basics of linework in the classroom and learning how to climb. 

"They just want to make sure you really have climbing down, because climbing is one of your basic fundamentals that you have to know when you do line work,” Allison said.

She then spent Fridays at Merancas Campus training to get her CDL.

A catalyst for the program was a $500,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, which helped Central Piedmont launch and equip the training program at its Harper Campus. The partnership ensures students train using industry-standard equipment and reflects a shared commitment to developing a skilled, local workforce for the Carolinas.

Through its vast network of relationships, a variety of companies spoke with students on campus, and Allison soon secured a job with Williams Electric — a Duke Energy contractor.

She currently works as a groundman as part of a six-person crew.

"My main job is making sure my lineman (Travis) is safe, that everything he does is safe, and that he has all the materials he needs,” Allison said. “All of us on the ground are watching the worker in the bucket because in this line of work, safety is everything.”

While she and her team work on specific sites day-to-day, during a storm she may need to be ready to work at all times, even if she isn’t technically on call.

As she progresses, Allison will be able to test to move up the ranks as her team feels she is ready.

"What makes or breaks the day truly is your crew,” she said. “My crew has been so accepting of me, not only as a woman, but as someone who’s also younger than them.”

She sees their passion and enthusiasm for the job, and it makes her feel the same way. Additionally, her lineman, Travis, takes special care to teach her every day.

“I can come into work and just have such a great mentality because I know I'm not the only one who wants to be there,” Allison said. 

She’d love to see more women get involved in the profession, and she speaks highly of all Central Piedmont has to offer. 

“The facilities and the dedication the instructors have to help you to pass is just amazing,” she said. “I never thought a community college could have this level of opportunities and resources.”