A new academic major at Pennsylvania College of Technology will enhance the training opportunities for PPL Electric Utilities Corp. employees, offering them an associate's degree in transmission and distribution (T&D) technology.
Beginning with the fall semester, the major will be available to active PPL employees who have completed or are in the process of completing a series of technical-training modules to become linemen. Their PPL training, along with the course work that they complete through Penn College, will allow them to earn a two-year degree.
"The training PPL offers its 'T&D helpers' and linemen serves as a great foundation that they can build on to work toward an associate's degree in applied science at Penn College," said Paul Ward, manager of technical training and development for the utility.
The program is open to all newly hired T&D helpers, as well as any incumbent lineman, journeyman, foreman or lineman leader who has completed PPL lineman technical training. Once an employee completes that curriculum, Penn College will accept a transcript from PPL to award credit for the appropriate transmission and distribution technology courses.
This major will prepare students for hands-on, entry-level positions with power and utility companies that generate, transmit and distribute electrical power.
Students will learn fundamental concepts of electricity and modern methods of generation, distribution and the use of electricity in electrical equipment. They also will gain hands-on skills in the use of electrical test equipment, operation of power equipment to install poles and anchors, and the safe installation of electrical-distribution equipment including transformers and cables.
The college will offer degree-related academic courses on nights and weekends, as well as through videoconferencing and online, to make it easier for full-time employees to participate. Graduates may continue in the technology management major to complete a bachelor's degree.
Additional information about the major is available at http://www.pct.edu/degrprog/TR.shtml online. For more about Penn College's School of Construction and Design Technologies, call (570) 327-4518, send e-mail to construction@pct.edu or visit http://www.pct.edu/schools/cdt online.