L-R: Adam Spears, Jordan Hyster, and Cody Wilson. Not pictured is Halston Davis.

July 20, 2010 -- . . .and Begin Careers as First Energy Electricians

You might say that four graduates got a charge out of their career-technical training at the Lorain County JVS.

Adam Spears, Cody Wilson, Halston Davis and Jordan Hyster learned about motors, transformers, lighting systems and many other different types of electrical equipment used in industrial and residential settings through the JVS Industrial Electricity Program which they completed in 2008.

And their nuts and "volts" education continued at Lorain County Community College, where they graduated this May with honors and earned Associate of Applied Science Degrees through First Energy's Power System Institute (PSI), a two-year program dedicated to training a new generation of experienced line workers and substation electricians.

"More than 200 students applied, but only about 20 students were accepted into the substation program we participated in," Hyster said. "We definitely had an advantage coming from the JVS."

"I love working with my hands and being outdoors, which is what attracted me to the Industrial Electricity Program," said Spears, whose focus at LCCC was overhead line technology. "I'm glad we all went through the program together. We're a pretty close group-a tight bunch of guys, and we now all have great jobs, too."

Spears, of Wellington, is referring to the graduates' commitment to work for First Energy for three years in exchange for tuition at the Power System Institute. First Energy is the nation's fifth largest investor-owned electric company, serving 4.5 million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

"I even had my choice of line shops. I could have gone anywhere in a three-state area and worked for this company," said Spears, who works as a lineman at Ohio Edison's Medina Line Shop. "How cool is that? The sky is the limit. I owe it all to the start I got at the JVS."

Under the tutelage of JVS instructor Jan Ramirez, a former substation electrician for First Energy himself, the foursome also studied computer programmable controls, conduit bending and the installation of commercial and industrial wiring. The students received a lot of practical hands-on experience working on a variety of projects including volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity and the local Boy Scouts Camp in Wakeman where they removed old phone cables and ran conduit.

"I struggled when I first started the program because I didn't know anything about residential wiring, but Mr. Ramirez guided me through it," said Spears, who also used that knowledge to wire his family's barn.

Wilson, of Elyria, said he enrolled in the Industrial Electricity Program on the advice of his father, who urged him to think about a career as an electrician.

"I got my first taste of what it would be like to be an electrician for a large utility company when I worked for First Energy through the JVS summer internship program," confirmed Wilson. "I unloaded equipment and observed the duties of substation electricians. "

"The hands-on education I received at the JVS reflected the skills I would actually need in the workplace and I'm sure I could have found a good-paying job as an electrician after completing my two years at JVS, but I couldn't pass up First Energy's program at LCCC," continued Wilson. "My degree is focused on electric utility technology and I plan to work as an Ohio Edison substation electrician in Elyria and work towards a Bachelor's Degree in Technical and Applied Studies through a partnership with LCCC and Ohio University."

Hyster and Davis both said that their futures took a dramatic turn immediately after enrolling in the Industrial Electricity Program.

"I never expected to go to college because I wanted to become a heavy equipment operator," said Hyster, of Wakeman, who focused on Substation Technology at LCCC. "But after visiting the JVS and hearing Mr. Ramirez talk about the program, I realized I'd be foolish not to take advantage of such a great opportunity!"

"Becoming an electrician is all I ever wanted to do," said Davis, also of Wakeman. "It was an easy decision for me to pick the JVS program-and I liked that there was such a clear and well defined path for me to continue my education at LCCC."

Hyster and Davis, who both work as substation electricians at Ohio Edison's Sandusky Line Shop, said that they appreciate the stern and professional attitude that Mr. Ramirez brought to the table.

"His personal experience spoke volumes," Hyster said. "Electricity can be dangerous. He didn't tolerate foolish mistakes. I never felt uncomfortable asking him for advice and he really helped me when I had some difficulty working with four-way switches. And he also helped me understand the huge responsibilities that go along with providing electricity to our customers."

"Mr. Ramirez is a great teacher," said Davis. "He's all about safety first. He told us that there are no shortcuts, and that you have to put forth the effort if you're ever going to be successful. He saw we were serious and really helped us achieve our goals."