There are numerous programs out there that are shining examples of training in action. One such initiative, a decade-old partnership between Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) and City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), has helped hundreds of trainees enter the job market.
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Launched in 2006, the Dawson Overhead Electrical Line Worker (OELW) Program was created as a training program for residents in the Chicago area who wanted to pursue a career with ComEd as an overhead lineman. To date, there are 319 graduates of the program, and at least 239 of them are currently employed in the electric and related industries.
ComEd alone has hired 57% of program graduates. Currently, 136 graduates work for the company in such jobs as overhead helpers, supply helpers, planners, meter readers, overhead electricians, cable splicers, work planers, and first-line supervisors.
The 5½-month training program is aimed at creating job opportunities throughout northern Illinois. During the first 6 weeks of the program, students receive “intense” classroom instruction in math, English, and professional development, said company spokesperson Linsey Godbey.
Students also participate in vocational physical training—in class, outdoors, and in the exercise room at Dawson Technical Institute. Vocational physical training runs throughout the duration of the program, helping to ensure that students are physically prepared for the demands of the job, such as pole climbing and construction work. In addition, students participate in hands-on activities and work side by side with supervisors to learn the skills of the trade—with an emphasis on safety, Godbey explained.
After completing the OELW Program, graduates receive an advanced certificate and are eligible for hire at ComEd or other utility companies. They also receive a certificate of completion from CCC, in addition to 30 hours of college credit. OELW participants must be at least 18 years of age and have earned a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED). Applicants are tested on basic skills and evaluated for climbing proficiency, strength, and stamina.
Tuition and fees cost about $5,500 per participant, and financial aid is available. Going forward, an exemplary student in each future class will receive a full scholarship to the OELW Program, ComEd President Anne Pramaggiore announced in a recent graduation ceremony that also commemorated the 10th anniversary of the program.
Cheryl Hyman, chancellor of CCC, said demand for electrical power line installers and repair workers is growing. “There are expected to be about 4,000 electrical power line installer and repair jobs coming to our region over the next decade, a 13 percent increase from today.” Calling the OELW Program “nothing short of a success,” Illinois Senator Martin Sandoval said, “Partnerships like the one between ComEd and the City Colleges of Chicago are proof that great things can happen when people work together.”
In addition to demonstrating its commitment to training and job creation through the OELW Program, ComEd is taking other steps to engage its future workforce. For example, the company partners with local schools and nonprofit organizations to offer students work experience through internships, apprenticeships, and other educational programs.
This past summer, more than 150 college and high school students were assigned to various departments across the company, where they gained hands-on experience. In addition, 115 high school students participated in paid apprenticeship programs that gave them opportunities to learn firsthand from industry experts about the benefits of smart meters and wise energy use. Those students worked as ComEd ambassadors at local community events, educating community members about how smart meter technology can save energy and about other energy-saving tips.