OE reinstates lineman training program with Kent Trumbull

WARREN

Seeing the world from 55 feet high in the air from a truck is part of utility-line worker’s perspective.

It’s an opportunity a person can experience at Kent State University at Trumbull, 4314 Mahoning Ave. NW, through the Power Systems Institute.

The two-year program is a partnership between the university and Akron-based Ohio Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., with the purpose of training the next generation of utility-line workers.

“Our line workers are really some of the important jobs in our industry,” said Randall Frame, regional president of Ohio Edison.

The PSI program started in 2000 as a way to help replace retiring line workers and was established at many colleges throughout FirstEnergy’s six-state service areas. Due to the economic downturn, many line workers put a hold on retirement, Frame said.

Therefore, most of programs were placed on hold in 2011. FirstEnergy re-evaluated its future workforce needs, however, and decided to reinstate the program, Frame said.

Students will spend half their time taking technical coursework at the university while receiving hands-on utility experience at OE’s Warren service shop, 2231 W. Market St.

During the summer between the first and second year of the program, students would take an internship at the service shop, said Mark Durbin, manager of communications for FirstEnergy.

Read more about the program in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.