AKRON FirstEnergy training aims at filling vacant positions

FirstEnergy teams with YSU and other colleges to train line workers.
AKRON (AP) -- FirstEnergy Corp. teams with several Ohio colleges to train recruits who could help fill a shortage of line workers.
The Akron utility developed the Power Systems Institute after a 1999 work-force analysis found many line workers and substation electricians were approaching retirement.
Line workers climb power poles in wind and snow to restore electricity. Substations house circuit breakers and power lines crucial to energy flow.
Several FirstEnergy substations were involved in the nation's worst blackout in August that affected about 50 million people in eight states and Canada. FirstEnergy has been at the center of investigations into the blackout's cause. The training program, which began in 2000, is offered through several Ohio colleges that blend technical training and traditional college courses.
Students graduate with a two-year associate of applied science degree. Some could get jobs with FirstEnergy with starting pay of $18 to $21 per hour. The skills they learn could be used at other utilities if FirstEnergy doesn't hire them.
Participating colleges
This May, the institute expects to graduate 54 students from Lakeland Community College near Cleveland, Owens Community College near Toledo, Stark State College of Technology in Canton, Youngstown State University, North Central State College in Mansfield and Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey.
FirstEnergy can monitor students' performance without having to put them on the payroll.
"It's very costly to bring them in as employees and train them," said Cathy Deka, who supervises the program for FirstEnergy.
Lakeland also has a similar partnership with FirstEnergy to train nuclear plant operators.
A spate of job cuts and early retirements have added to a nationwide shortage of experienced line workers.
There are similar college-industry partnerships elsewhere.
In 1999, Canada's Nova Scotia Community College began a utility line program. Texas Electric Cooperatives' 75 utilities partnered with South Plains College in Lubbock to train electric line workers who earn college credit in their program.
Columbus-based American Electric Power works with some colleges but has no formal program.
"We operate a distribution line school within our company," spokeswoman Melissa McHenry said.
Student profile
Students in the FirstEnergy program include recent high school graduates and older workers who have been laid off from factory jobs.
Tom Smith, 26, is part of the current first-year class training with FirstEnergy instructors in Mayfield and taking for-credit classes at Lakeland. The ex-Marine was cutting grass for the city of Willoughby before enrolling in the program last summer.
Smith's time in Marines' survival school didn't prepare him for the first time he climbed a power pole.
"No matter what, it's still scary the first couple times you do it," he said.
Students pay about $6,000 for the two-year program at Lakeland. They are paid by FirstEnergy for 12 weeks of summer work between their first and second years.
Union complaints
Bob Fronek, president of Local 270 of the Utility Workers Union of America, wants the program expanded to allow more current FirstEnergy employees to participate. The union represents about 1,150 FirstEnergy employees.
Larry Tscherne, business manager of Local 245 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, is upset the training institute replaced an apprenticeship program that guaranteed immediate jobs upon completion. The union represents 580 FirstEnergy employees.
Tscherne said he doesn't think the institute students are as prepared as they should be when they join the company.