 Through
a partnership with Lakeland and FirstEnergy,
students can achieve a two-year accredited associate of applied
science degree in electric utility technology.
Knowledge-based classroom courses will
be conducted at Lakeland and laboratory (skills) training
will be conducted at a FirstEnergy facility located near
the college.
Through hands-on instruction, students
will learn the essential skills necessary to be a line
worker with heavy emphasis placed on safe work practices
and procedures in the electric utility environment.
A total of 69 credit hours are completed
consecutively over the 21-month (four-semester) period.
Knowlege-based courses will be held at Lakeland and laboratory
courses will be held at a FirstEnergy facility located
near the college. The program will prepare students for
employment in a variety of electrical fields, with emphasis
in the line worker/substation worker area. A maximum of
20 students will be accepted into the program per year.
Students will conduct their laboratory
training at a FirstEnergy facility two and-a-half days
a week. Classroom coursework will be conducted at Lakeland
two and-a-half days a week. All training and education
required for the program will be offered between the hours
of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
College closings on holidays are observed.
The two-and-a-half days spent in the
laboratory will consist of the essential, hands-on skills
necessary for a line worker/ substation worker. Heavy emphasis
is placed on safe work practices and procedures in the
electrical environment. As part of the study, first-aid
and CPR certifications will be achieved. In addition, students
will obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License
(CDL).
Following semester two, students will
be required to participate in a 10-week (40 hours per week)
compensated and evaluated line/substation field experience
with FirstEnergy. Students will be assigned to a work crew
and utilize skills learned during their first two semesters.
Students will be paid between $13 and $15 per hour, depending
on job assignment and location. Field experience will begin
in June and end in August.
Selection
Process
Step 1:
Orientation sessions will be held for those interested in
the program. The first orientation will be hosted by FirstEnergy
and will introduce prospective students to the skills necessary
for line/substation work.
Step 2:
At the second orientation, students will participate in activities
that will test their strength, endurance and abilities
of working in an elevated position.
Because of the hands-on involvement,
enrollment is limited. Pre-registration is required.
To sign up for this unique opportunity,
call (800) 824-9803. Participants should bring a long-sleeve
shirt with them on the day of the camp. Please wear footwear
with a hard sole, preferably boots.
Step 3:
Prior to registration, Lakeland requires placement testing
in English, reading and math. Based on the results, students
may be required to enroll in summer courses to prepare
for the fall semester. Scheduling of the placement tests
will be the responsibility of the prospective student.
Contact Lakeland for test dates and summer
remediation course dates (if required).
Step 4:
An 80-hour Basic Wood Pole Climbing / substation course will
be conducted at a FirstEnergy site in preparation for the
fall semester. Students enrolled in the 21-month degree program
must attend this 80-hour (two-week) course.
Students will learn to climb poles /
steel structures in full fall protection equipment. At
the completion of the course, students will be qualified
as a wood pole / steel structure climber. The course also
will familiarize students with basic overhead line materials,
conductors, sleeves, and hand-line use or substation tools
and equipment. All climbing and safety equipment will be
provided.
Program eligibility screening will be
conducted prior to Basic 80 hour Climbing School to determine
eligibility for summer field experience.
Final decisions for enrolling in the
PSI program are made by prospective students and FirstEnergy
instructors during the 80 hour Climbing School. During
this time, it is determined if each candidate possesses
the basic skills and abilities required for electric power
utility work.
Candidates may withdraw of their own
accord or may be withdrawn by a FirstEnergy instructor.
Step 5:
With successful completion of steps one through three, students
will begin the 21-month degree program in the fall semester
(August).
Additional
Information
Call the college regarding the cost of tuition, lab fees,
books, and other information.
Based on
a student’s grades, skills
and attitude, employment opportunities
may exist with FirstEnergy
upon graduation. Current starting
salaries range from $18 to
$20 per hour.
Overtime also is compensated. FirstEnergy offers a competitive
and comprehensive benefits package including:
health and dental care, life insurance, pension plan, 401K
plan (including company matching program), as well as continuing
education reimbursement. FirstEnergy also provides a competitive
compensation package designed to recognize and reward growth
and performance that achieves individual, group and corporate
objectives.
FirstEnergy is a registered public utility
holding company with more than $38 billion in assets and
$12 billion in annual revenues.
FirstEnergy’s electric utility operating
companies Ohio Edison Company, Pennsylvania Power Company,
The Illuminating Company, Toledo Edison, Jersey Central
Power and Light, Met-Ed, and Penelec comprise the nation’s
sixth largest electric system serving 4.3 million electric
customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
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