Pierpont Community & Technical College President Dr. Doreen M. Larson, Ph.D., and Mr. James R. Haney, president - West Virginia Operations for FirstEnergy Corp., announced an educational partnership Tuesday, January 31, that will prepare individuals with the skills and training necessary to pursue careers as either a line worker or substation electrician in the electric utility industry.
The curriculum is a blend of FirstEnergy’s award-winning Power Systems Institute (PSI) hands-on training, and Pierpont’s classroom and laboratory instruction. Students who successfully complete the two year program will earn an associate of applied science degree in Electric Utility Technology.
“The agreement between FirstEnergy and Pierpont to provide the associate degree program in Electric Utility Technology is a partnership that utilizes the capacities of both organizations to provide priority workforce development training,” said Dr. Larson.
“This is an important educational partnership with Pierpont, and FirstEnergy is very grateful for their involvement,” said Haney. “The focus of our PSI program is to create a pipeline of well-trained, well-educated and skilled utility workers that will perform their duties safely and productively and help to ensure reliable electric service.”
The program includes technical course work in electrical fundamentals and circuit analysis, along with practical skills training and general education classes. Following the second semester, qualified students will complete a compensated 10-week (40 hours/week) evaluated field experience. Students must successfully complete FirstEnergy’s pre-employment screening prior to participating in the field experience which will be conducted May through August.
Graduates of the program are prepared to seek employment in the electric utility industry, including with Mon Power and Potomac Edison, both FirstEnergy electric companies.
The college and FirstEnergy will seek applicants for the first class which is anticipated to begin in August. An information session will be held March 31, 2012 from 10:00 am to noon at the Robert H. Mollohan Research Center Auditorium in the I-79 Technology Park. The session will provide information on the career, program, financial aid, and the application and selection process.
For more information on the Electric Utility Technology program, contact FirstEnergy directly at (800) 829-6801.
