Cotulla Education Acquires American Lineman College

Cotulla Education’s acquisition of American Lineman College marks its second skilled trade acquisition, reflecting a broader strategy to strengthen workforce pipelines and address labor shortages.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Cotulla Education – the parent company of the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), Centura College, and Tidewater Tech – announced the acquisition of American Lineman College, an electrical line-working and climbing school based in Bakersfield, California. With the acquisition, Cotulla Education adds line-worker training and education to its portfolio of programs, furthering its mission to address critical skilled-labor shortages in essential industries in the United States.

“At Cotulla Education, we recognize there is a growing demand for support across other key sectors,” said Jason Pfaff, co-founder and CEO of Cotulla Education. “American Lineman College has proven that innovative, employer-driven training works. Together, we will expand access to high-quality programs that prepare students for successful careers, while helping industry partners fill urgent workforce gaps.”

Founded by trade-industry veteran Michael Hennesey, American Lineman College has graduated hundreds of pre-apprentice line workers and utility workers who have transitioned to careers at major utilities and contractors nationwide. The school’s hybrid curriculum, which combines rigorous online learning and extensive hands-on field training, has achieved placement rates above 90% and graduation rates above 85%.

“By strengthening the electrical line-worker pipeline, improving apprenticeship completion rates, and helping support human resource departments nationwide, we are delivering exactly what the industry and our students need for long-term success,” said Michael Hennesey, President of American Lineman College.

Currently, the U.S. utility sector faces a labor shortage, with projections showing nearly twice as many entry-level line-worker jobs expected over the next five years as there are new workers entering the field. Despite the profession’s strong earning potential — often starting above $85,000 and scaling beyond $200,000 annually — training infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with demand.

Please visit the websites of Cotulla Education and American Lineman College to learn more about their work.

About Cotulla Education

Cotulla Education is a premier network of career-focused institutions dedicated to preparing students for success in skilled trades and technical professions. Through its family of schools—including the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), Centura College, and Tidewater Tech—Cotulla Education delivers hands-on, industry-driven training that meets the growing demand for highly skilled professionals. With campuses across the United States, Cotulla provides students with pathways to rewarding careers in aviation, healthcare, information technology, business, and skilled trades, empowering graduates to fill vital roles in today’s workforce.

About American Lineman College

American Lineman College, founded in Bakersfield, CA by Michael Hennesey, trains the next generation of electrical line-workers through a blend of rigorous online learning and extensive hands-on field training. American Lineman College has rapidly established itself as a trusted partner to students and employers seeking high-quality training and professional development.