Potomac Edison Adds New Line and Substation Employees from Power Systems Institute Training Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has hired nine recent graduates from its Power Systems Institute (PSI) educational program aimed at training line and substation workers. The program, in partnership with local community colleges, has trained over 2,400 workers since its inception in 2000. The new hires will help enhance service delivery for the approximately 275,000 customers served in Maryland and 151,000 in West Virginia. The PSI graduates have received an associate degree in Electric Utility Technology, focusing on safe work practices.

Positive

• Hiring of nine graduates reinforces workforce capacity for electric utility services.
• Enhanced service reliability for approximately 275,000 customers in Maryland.

Negative

• None.

WILLIAMSPORT, Md., July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has hired nine recent graduates of Power Systems Institute (PSI), the company's award-winning, two-year educational program that helps prepare the next generation of line and substation workers FirstEnergy's 10 electric utility companies.

The new employees include seven lineworkers who recently graduated from the company's PSI program established with Blue Ridge Community & Technical College in Martinsburg, West Virginia, in 2015. Two new substation electricians graduated from Pierpont Community & Technical College in Fairmont, West Virginia.  

"Our Power Systems Institute develops top-quality, well-educated men and women for the electric utility industry," said Linda Moss, president of FirstEnergy's Maryland Operations. "We look forward to these graduates joining our workforce to help continue providing safe and reliable electric service for our customers."

The new Potomac Edison lines employees, along with their work locations and hometowns, include:

• Augusta Service Center – Dillion Fuller, Augusta, West Virginia
• Berkeley Springs Service Center – Trevor Rice, Cumberland, Maryland
• Martinsburg Service Center – Nicholas Sauble, Hagerstown, Maryland
• Mt. Airy Service Center – Travis Topper, Taneytown, Maryland; Gavin Edwards, Middletown, Maryland
• Thurmont Service Center – Owen Sgaggero, Cumberland, Maryland
• Williamsport Service Center – Alex Nee, Smithsburg, Maryland

The new Potomac Edison substation employees with their work locations and hometowns include:

• Martinsburg Service Center – Dalton Earhart, Gore, Virginia
• Williamsport Service Center – Blain Moore, Grafton, West Virginia

The PSI curriculum for lineworkers requires two and a half days each week spent at Blue Ridge Community & Technical College, with the remainder of the week spent at a Potomac Edison training facility in Williamsport, Maryland. Similarly, substation electricians spend two and a half days each week at Pierpont Community & Technical College completing academic course work and the remainder of time at the Potomac Edison training facility. All students focus on safe work practices and procedures in the electrical environment. The graduates earned an associate of applied science degree in Electric Utility Technology.

Since the program was developed in 2000, FirstEnergy has hired more than 2,400 line workers and substation personnel who completed PSI programs in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia.

For information about how to enroll in the PSI program, call 1-800-829-6801, or visit www.firstenergycorp.com/psi.

Potomac Edison serves about 275,000 customers in all or parts of Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington counties in Maryland and 151,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note:  Photos of FirstEnergy's Power Systems Institute training program are available for download on Flickr.

 

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What is the significance of Potomac Edison hiring new employees on July 25, 2022?

The hiring of nine new employees from the Power Systems Institute strengthens Potomac Edison's workforce for delivering reliable electric services.

How many graduates has FirstEnergy's Power Systems Institute trained?

Since its establishment in 2000, the Power Systems Institute has trained over 2,400 line workers and substation personnel.

How does the Power Systems Institute program prepare its students?

The program combines classroom education with hands-on training, focusing on safe work practices and procedures in the electrical environment.

Where do the new employees of Potomac Edison come from?

The new employees are graduates from Blue Ridge Community & Technical College and Pierpont Community & Technical College.

What areas does Potomac Edison serve?

Potomac Edison serves about 275,000 customers in Maryland and 151,000 customers in West Virginia.