Have you ever wondered how your electric service gets repaired during an outage? What training do those utility workers receive? Do you know anyone, perhaps a family member, who may be looking for an exciting new career opportunity?
FirstEnergy’s Power Systems Institute (PSI) is an award-winning program for recruiting and developing the next generation of line and substation workers. Established in 2000, PSI is a unique, two-year program that combines classroom learning with hands-on training. Students who successfully complete the program earn an Associate Degree in Electric Utility Technology, which can lead to a career as a lineworker or substation electrician in the electric utility industry. Since the program’s inception, FirstEnergy has hired more than 2,100 graduates across its service territory.
Lance Fry is the Manager of Workforce Strategy and Planning with FirstEnergy, where he is responsible for the oversight of the Power Systems Institute (PSI) program. PSI is a unique training program in that it prepares line workers and substation electricians while attaining an Associate Degree in Electric Utility Technology. Lance’s other responsibilities include utility staffing plan & strategies, staffing regulatory responses, training forecasting, web delivery technology, instructor certification and job skills demonstration facilitation.
Lance began his career as a high school science teacher. After 10 years, he transitioned to working in environmental laboratories, first with Environmental Science Corporation in TN and later with FirstEnergy’s BETA laboratory. His work concentrated on managing sample testing processes to ensure EPA compliance. Following 15 years in the laboratory, he moved over to his current position in Workforce Development.
He lives in Solon, OH with his wife and four children. Lance enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering at his church, playing tennis and riding his motorcycle.
Lance will be joined by Rob Petit, Supervisor of FirstEnergy’s Power Systems Institute (PSI) Program. Rob will explain the details of the program and how candidates can apply. Rob has led the PSI program for three (3) years. He is a graduate of the University of Akron. He currently resides in Wadsworth, OH and enjoys spending time with his wife, Sara, and their two small children, Robbie and Charlotte.