YSU Powerful partnership prepares grads for field

FirstEnergy helped develop the power plant technology program.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The first 11 students in Youngstown State University's power plant technology program will receive associate's degrees at Saturday's graduation ceremony.
The program was initiated in 2003 through a partnership between YSU Rayen College of Engineering and Technology, and FirstEnergy Corp.
Those graduating from the two-year program receive associate's degrees in power plant technology.
"I expect 100 percent job placement," said Ted Bosela, associate dean of the engineering college, who helped design the program. "And I expect this trend to continue for at least a decade."
The program was developed in anticipation of a large number of retirements by FirstEnergy power plant operators.
Practical experience
Students get hands-on experience working at YSU's central utility plant and the college's steam turbine and internal combustion engine laboratories, as well as at a FirstEnergy power plant for a 15-week internship. Students also work at a plant one day every two weeks each semester.
"After I went through a tour at the power plant, I knew it was the right field for me," said Nathan Miller, 28, of Austintown, who already has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from YSU and was working in the construction field.
Through the program, graduates will have 800 out of the 900 hours needed to take the third-class stationary engineer's license examination, needed to operate a boiler in Ohio. After about a month on the job, the equivalent of 100 hours, the test is administered.
Those who don't go through the associate's degree program need 1,800 hours before they can take the exam.
"Going through this program was a great learning experience," said Roger Humberson, 28, of Austintown.