Collegian

Issue date: 4/10/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Christopher Heinze Ohio Edison Regional President Steven E. Strah and LCCC President Roy Church sign agreement to bring the Power Systems Institute to LCCC.

Media Credit: Christopher Heinze Fred Wright, president of the Lorain County Urban League, calls attention to the need to ensure diversity in LCCC's new program.

Media Credit: Christopher Heinze (Left to right) LCCC President Roy Church, Ohio Edison Area Manager Joe Faga and Ohio Edison Regional President Steven Strah wait to announce the creation of the Power Systems Institute at LCCC during a press conference April 5, 2007.

Ohio Edison Regional President Steve Strah announced April 5 that his company, First Energy Corporation, is bringing its training program to Lorain County Comunity College.

"The Power Systems Institute was introduced in 2000 and spans all seven operating companies in First Energy," Strah said. "The program was created in response to attrition."

According to Strah, the Power Systems Institute at LCCC will be the eleventh program of its kind.

"Students in the program will spend half the week at LCCC and the rest of the week at the Elyria Operations Center, where students learn the more physical aspects of the job." Strah said.

Strah said that the program includes a paid 14-week internship and free tuition and protective gear.

"We are looking for 20 students to begin the program, and after that 12 students per year," Strah said.

"The first step in the process is an orientation, which will be at the Spitzer Center on April 26 at 6 p.m.," Strah said. "This is a two hour program to give prospective students background on the program."

After Strah spoke, LCCC President Roy Church and Strah signed the agreement to bring the Power Systems Institute to LCCC.

During the question and answer forum that followed the signing ceremony, Lorain County Urban League President Fred Wright asked about diversity in the new program.

Strah replied by saying "we will take special steps to ensure diversity."

"We will be actively involved," Church said in response to the diversity question."

For more information, visit the First Energy Web site at www.firstenergycorp.com/employment or call 1-800-829-6801.

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