West Penn Power Hires New Graduates from FirstEnergy's Power Systems Institute Training Program

Rhea-AI Summary

West Penn Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has hired 30 graduates from its Power Systems Institute (PSI) program. This includes 22 line workers from Westmoreland County Community College and 8 substation electricians from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. The PSI program, celebrating its 20th anniversary, has produced over 2,000 trained personnel since its inception. Graduates earn an associate degree and are equipped to enhance workforce diversity and safety in electric service provision, crucial for West Penn Power's operations serving approximately 725,000 customers in Pennsylvania.

Positive

• Hiring 30 new graduates strengthens workforce and enhances service reliability.
• PSI program has produced over 2,000 trained personnel, indicating a successful training initiative.

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• None.

GREENSBURG, Pa., June 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- West Penn Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has hired 30 new graduates from the Power Systems Institute (PSI), the company's award-winning, two-year educational program that helps train the next generation of line and substation workers for FirstEnergy's 10 electric companies.

The new employees include 22 line workers who are recent graduates of the company's PSI utility training partnership with Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, Pennsylvania, and eight new substation electricians who graduated from the program at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

"Our PSI program has strengthened our diverse workforce pipeline and instilled safe work practices, proper work methods and teambuilding by developing the well-educated men and women needed to provide reliable power to customers, "said John Rea, regional president of West Penn Power. "We welcome these graduates joining our workforce to help continue providing safe and reliable electric service for our customers."

West Penn Power's new PSI graduates include:

• Cy Bailey, Ellwood
• Darin Beres, Uniontown
• Michael Evans, Leetonia
• Riley Gilleland, Hopwood
• Corby Koleno, Bellefonte
• Zachary Shiley, Farmington
• Tyler Snyder, Beallsville
• Zachary Stouffer, New Middleton
• Cody Wise, Newton Falls
• Joseph Guercio, Johnstown
• Christopher Serafine, Cadogan

The PSI curriculum for lines employees requires two and a half days each week spent between Westmoreland County Community College and West Penn Power's training facility in Jeanette, Pennsylvania. The PSI curriculum for substation employees requires a half week spent at Pennsylvania Highlands and at a FirstEnergy training facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, for hands-on learning that focuses on safe work practices and procedures in the electrical environment.

FirstEnergy is celebrating 20 years of graduates from the PSI program, which was originally developed by the company in 2000. Students who successfully complete the program earn an associate degree from an affiliated community college in their area. Since the program's inception, FirstEnergy has hired more than 2,000 line and substation personnel who completed PSI programs in Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

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

West Penn Power serves approximately 725,000 customers in 24 counties within central and southwestern Pennsylvania. Follow West Penn Power on Twitter @W_Penn_Power and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WestPennPower.

FirstEnergy Corp. 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. Follow FirstEnergy and its utilities on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.

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

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What is the significance of West Penn Power hiring 30 new graduates?

The hiring of 30 new graduates enhances West Penn Power's workforce and service reliability, addressing the need for skilled workers in the electric utility sector.

What does the Power Systems Institute program offer?

The Power Systems Institute program offers training for line and substation workers, culminating in an associate degree and hands-on learning to ensure safety and operational excellence.

How many graduates has FirstEnergy's PSI program produced?

Since its inception, FirstEnergy's PSI program has produced over 2,000 graduates who have been hired across its service areas.

Who are the new employees hired by West Penn Power?

The new hires include 22 line workers and 8 substation electricians, all recent graduates of the PSI program.